Mike Hakata has been replaced by Sarah Williams as leader Peray Ahmet’s deputy while Ajda Ovat is appointed cabinet member for communities

Haringey Council’s new cabinet at Tottenham Town Hall (credit David Mirzoeff/Haringey Council)

The Labour administration at Haringey Council has appointed a new deputy leader and cabinet member for communities as part of a reshuffle of leader Peray Ahmet’s top team.

West Green councillor Sarah Williams is taking over from Mike Hakata as deputy leader and will also take on responsibility for council housebuilding in her portfolio, as well as council housing services and private sector housing.

Commenting on the switch at the council’s annual meeting e arlier this week Cllr Ahmet said: “Thank you to Mike for everything he has done as deputy for the last couple of years and a big welcome to Cllr Williams, who is my new sidekick.”

Northumberland Park’s Ajda Ovat has also been appointed as the new cabinet member for communities. Cllr Ovat has spent the last twelve months working as deputy mayor and will now get to meet even more residents in her new role as she takes on a big portfolio including crime prevention and reduction, anti-social behaviour, community cohesion and inclusion, licensing and the voluntary sector.

Cllr Ovat replaced Adam Jogee in the role. She said: “I’m really excited to be joining such a dynamic cabinet team at Haringey Council as the portfolio holder for communities.

“My predecessor, Cllr Jogee, has done a fantastic job in the role and I’m looking forward to building upon all his great work.

“This administration and the cabinet team are an ambitious group and they want to bring about positive change and improvements for our residents and businesses. I’m keen to play my part in this process.

“Representation resonates with me personally, especially in a borough as diverse and multi-cultural as ours. I hope the fact that an Australian national with Kurdish heritage like me can attain a senior leadership position at the council encourages and inspires others to achieve similar success in their walks of life going forward.”

No news is bad news

Independent news outlets like ours – reporting for the community without rich backers – are under threat of closure, turning British towns into news deserts.

The audiences they serve know less, understand less, and can do less.

If our coverage has helped you understand our community a little bit better, please consider supporting us with a monthly, or one-off donation.