Brent Council has elected its new Mayor and Cabinet following a period of uncertainty after the local elections left the authority under no overall control. Labour, falling three seats short of an overall majority, secured opposition support—including Conservative abstentions—to ensure its preferred nomination was elected as leader. Cllr Muhammed Butt will continue his 14-year tenure as leader of the local authority, with the Conservatives as the principal opposition.
At the All Council Meeting on May 20, several key positions were approved. Labour’s Welsh Harp representative, Cllr Amer Agha, was elected as the borough’s Mayor. Cllr Agha expressed deep gratitude, stating, “I am deeply grateful to have been elected Mayor of Brent which is a huge honour and privilege. What makes our borough so special is not just that we are so diverse, it is that people from all backgrounds, cultures and faiths live side by side with acceptance, compassion and togetherness.” He added, “Every person in Brent has their own story, hopes and dreams. As Mayor I will do everything possible to build trust and bring communities closer together and champion our shared values of dignity and respect for everyone.”
The Mayor holds a civic and ceremonial role, representing Brent at official events, chairing Full Council meetings, and acting as an ambassador for the borough. A key responsibility includes supporting charitable fundraising and raising awareness of important community causes. Cllr Agha succeeds outgoing Cllr Ryan Hack, the borough’s youngest ever First Citizen, who served over the past year and raised over £92,000 for the Brent Irish Advisory Service. Cllr Hack described being Mayor as “the honour of my life” and said, “Meeting so many of you, in all corners of our community, has meant so much to me. I will always champion our special borough and will continue to promote and support Brent in any way I can.”
With the Conservatives as the principal opposition in a minority-led Labour administration, they secured representation in key positions, including chairing both scrutiny committees. The Tories also gained the Deputy Mayor role, with Queensbury representative Cllr Kanta Mistry elected as Deputy Mayor. A new Cabinet was formed, composed entirely of Labour councillors, rejecting the Liberal Democrats’ proposal for a cross-party ‘rainbow’ Cabinet.
Cabinet Portfolios
- Cllr Gwen Grahl – Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources and Deputy Leader
- Cllr Tina Amadi – Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture and Cost-of-Living Support
- Cllr Liz Dixon – Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Public Health
- Cllr Robert Johnson – Cabinet Member for Housing, Homelessness and Renters
- Cllr Matt Kelcher – Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Planning
- Cllr Promise Knight – Cabinet Member for Cleaner Streets, Transport and Public Realm
- Cllr Jake Rubin – Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Employment and Climate Action
- Cllr Muhammed Butt – Leader, also covering Adult Social Care
Brent Labour stated: “Brent Labour has supported scrutiny committees being chaired by the principal opposition group, with the opportunity available for other opposition groups to take up vice-chairing roles should they wish. In a more plural council, strong scrutiny, constructive challenge and clear accountability will matter more than ever.” The party added that in the coming weeks, Cabinet will focus on a new Brent Housing Compact, major investment in leisure centres, and disabled facilities in council-owned homes. They aim to clean up streets, revitalize high streets, introduce cost-of-living support, and drive forward long-term projects shaping Brent’s future.
