Mayor of Lewisham announces changes to Cabinet
The Mayor of Lewisham, Brenda Dacres, has confirmed changes to her Cabinet, following the resignation of Cllr Chris Barnham and Cllr Kim Powell.
Cllr Chris Barnham has announced his intention to step down from his post as Cabinet Member for Children and Young People after six years. Cllr Barnham will leave his post after the Council’s budget meeting on 5 March. He will remain a councillor, representing Crofton Park.
Mayor Dacres said: “I’d like to say a huge thank you to Chris, who has dedicated an enormous amount to this role over the last six years. With his passion, commitment and political direction, he has been a driving force in improving outcomes for children, young people and families in Lewisham.
“99% of Lewisham schools are now rated Good or Outstanding; GCSE and A Level results are up; we have opened Family Hubs across the borough to provide support, advice and guidance; we have developed a ground-breaking play strategy; local SEND places have expanded by 300 and our Youth Justice Service is award winning for its pioneering work. Chris has also been central to the Council’s successful bid to become one of 10 local authorities to deliver the Families First for Children Pathfinder programme – improving services to help more children stay with their families in safe and loving homes and protecting vulnerable children from harm.
“Chris leaves these services in a strong position, as recognised by Ofsted, and I wish him all the best as he looks forward to his next chapter in life. I know that he will continue to serve the residents of Crofton Park ward effectively as their councillor.”
Cllr Edison Huynh, currently Cabinet Member for Culture and Communities, will take over the brief from next month.
The Culture and Communities portfolio will be covered jointly by Cllr Huynh, who will keep responsibility for libraries, sports, leisure, and culture, and Cllr Sakina Sheikh (who is currently acting as Cabinet Member for Safer Lewisham, Refugees and Equalities, covering Cllr Oana Olaru-Holmes’ maternity leave) who will cover community development, community centres, grants programmes, local assemblies, community wealth building and NCIL.
Permanent arrangements will be confirmed following Cllr Olaru-Holmes' return.
Mayor Dacres said: “I’m pleased that Edison and Sakina have agreed to take on these important briefs. They already play key roles in Cabinet and I’m looking forward to continuing to work with them in their new portfolios.”
Cllr Kim Powell, Cabinet Member for Business, Jobs and Skills, has resigned with immediate effect. Cllr Powell has been a Cabinet Member since 2021. She will remain a councillor, representing Hither Green.
Mayor Dacres said: “I’d like to thank Kim for all her work during what has been a crucial time for her portfolio. Under her leadership, 1,100 residents have been supported by Lewisham Works, our free employment service, in its first two years of operation; she has overseen the growth of the Mayor’s Business Awards programme which saw over 9,000 votes and nominations received from members of the public last year; and we have launched our Inclusive Economic Development Strategy, setting out our vision to grow an ambitious, unique, resilient and authentic economy.
“Kim also oversaw our extensive programme to support local businesses to recover following the pandemic and has been central to driving our plans forward to revitalise Lewisham with £24m of Levelling Up funding. I wish her all the best and I know that she will continue to serve the residents of Hither Green ward as their local councillor.”
Cllr Ese Erheriene will take on the Business, Jobs and Skills brief. Cllr Erheriene has been a councillor for Lee Green since 2022 and a Cabinet Advisor since 2024 working on the next steps for our groundbreaking Birmingham and Lewisham African Caribbean Health Inequalities Review (BLACHIR).
Mayor Dacres said: “I’m pleased to welcome Ese to the Cabinet. With employment and growth so high on the Government’s agenda, this is a really important time for this portfolio and I’m looking forward to working with her to deliver the very best for our residents and businesses.”