Three members of the council’s cabinet, including the borough’s finance boss, have chosen not to stand in the next local election, the News can reveal.
Fiona Colley, Maisie Anderson and Mark Williams will all leave Southwark’s cabinet in May after many years under their belts as councillors.
Cllr Colley is currently cabinet member for finance, modernisation and performance, Cllr Anderson is cabinet member for public health and social regeneration, and Cllr Williams is cabinet member for regeneration and new homes.
No reasons were given for the three choosing to stand down, but in a statement to the News, council leader Peter John said he was “sorry to be losing three such amazing colleagues, but massively grateful for the service they have given to our borough”.
“Maisie Anderson has placed public health and social regeneration right at the heart of what we do as a council,” he said.
“Mark Williams has shown exceptional leadership in delivering on our ambitious programme to build new council homes and bring positive change to our borough, and Fiona Colley has been at the very heart of what we have achieved as a council over the past eight years.
“Southwark is recognised as an innovative and high-performing council and Fiona must take a large amount of the credit for that. Southwark is a better place because of their public service.
“Although we are losing three stars I am excited by the many talented councillors and candidates who will be standing for election and re-election and will continue the great work of Maisie, Mark and Fiona.”
Cllr Maisie Anderson was first elected in 2014. She joined the cabinet in 2016 as the cabinet member for public health, parks and leisure and since 2017 has been cabinet member for public health and social regeneration.
Cllr Mark Williams was first elected in 2011. In 2013 he became the deputy cabinet member for private rented sector housing, and then became cabinet member for regeneration, planning and transport in 2014.
Since 2015 he has served as cabinet member for regeneration and new homes.
Cllr Fiona Colley was first elected in 2002, and served as deputy leader of the Labour Group, and the chair of overview and scrutiny when Labour was in opposition before 2010.
When Labour took control of Southwark Council in 2010, she was appointed cabinet member for regeneration and corporate strategy, then for finance, strategy and performance in 2014, and later for finance, modernisation and performance in 2015.
I suspect they will end up working for developers or as consultants to developers!