WALTHAM FOREST: Councillors swap places in town hall reshuffle (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

WALTHAM FOREST: Councillors swap places in town hall reshuffle

9:51am Monday 12th September 2011 in Waltham Forest News By Daniel Binns

WALTHAM FOREST: Councillors swap places in town hall reshuffle

COUNCILLORS Marie Pye and Saima Mahmud have swapped responsibilities in a cabinet reshuffle.

Cllr Pye will take over the Childrens' Services brief while Cllr Mahmud is set to become the new cabinet member for housing.

A decision was made last week and an official announcement was due to be made in the next few days before it was leaked to the Guardian.

In a statement, council leader Cllr Chris Robbins did not addresses the reason for the change.

But he did say: “I’d had every intention of changing a number of the portfolios over the summer recess.

"Due to the hectic events of August this wasn’t possible, though we did manage to agree changes to the Housing and Development and Children and Young people portfolios. These were finalised last week.

“There will be further changes to cabinet responsibilities between now and May, and I will be sure to let residents know about them as and when they are made.”

The move comes following criticisms of both council departments.

In August a damning Ofsted report said vulnerable children were being put at risk due to failures in Cllr Mahmoud's department.

Its deputy director, Linda Cointepas, left the authority by "mutual agreement" following the publication of the report.

And Cllr Pye has also come under criticism for her alleged support of new developments which have been unpopular with some residents, such as with a 14-storey hotel in Walthamstow.

At a planning meeting to discuss the plans in January she provoked outrage when she said opponents of high rise buildings in the borough should "move out and go and live in Surrey".

And campaigners from Save Our Stow (SOS), who want Walthamstow Stadium to be reopened as a dog racing venue, have also called for her to resign.

Click here to follow the Waltham Forest Guardian on Twitter

Click here to follow the Chingford Guardian on Twitter