Havering Council has confirmed its new political leadership and civic appointments after Reform UK’s victory in the May local elections.
Councillor Keith Prince AM, the London Assembly Member for Havering and Redbridge, has been appointed Leader of Havering Council. The decision was made at the council’s annual general meeting, where councillors also confirmed the new Cabinet responsible for key local services.
The changes affect the political direction of the borough council and the councillors who will oversee areas including finance, housing, highways, planning, children’s services and public realm.
Keith Prince appointed council leader
Councillor Keith Prince AM said the new administration would focus on basic services, cleaner streets, safer neighbourhoods, value for taxpayers and town centre pride.
He said residents had voted for change and that the administration wanted to deliver for everyone in Havering, regardless of how they voted or where they live.
The leadership change follows the May local elections, which brought Reform UK into control locally. The annual meeting formally put the new administration in place and assigned senior roles for the next phase of council decision-making.
Havering Council Cabinet roles confirmed
Councillor Sue Benjamins has been appointed Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance.
Other Cabinet appointments include Councillor Sean McMahon for Customer Services, Councillor Graham Day for Adults and Health, Councillor Kevin Gill for Children, Councillor Martin Lardner for Housing Allocations, and Councillor Terry Brown for Planning and Public Protection.
Councillor Robert Whitton will oversee Regeneration and Property, Councillor Alex Sibley will take responsibility for Highways, and Councillor Martynas Cekavicius will serve as Cabinet Member for Public Realm.
Together, the Havering Council Cabinet will help set policy direction and oversee the delivery of services used by residents across the borough.
New Mayor and scrutiny posts
The AGM also confirmed Councillor Maggie Themistocli, ward councillor for Hylands and Harrow Lodge, as Mayor of Havering. She replaces Councillor Sue Ospreay.
Councillor Christine Vickery, who represents Squirrels Heath ward, has been appointed Deputy Mayor.
Councillors also agreed appointments to committees involved in scrutiny, planning and other council business, including Overview and Scrutiny and the Strategic Planning Committee, alongside a number of Member Champion roles.
Source: London Borough of Havering
Source check Source trail
This report is based on Havering Council’s published account of its annual general meeting and appointments.
- Confirmed the named council leader and Cabinet portfolios from the source notice.
- Checked the Mayor and Deputy Mayor appointments listed in the council announcement.
- Kept the article to confirmed appointments and quoted priorities without adding unsupporte...
- Source
- Havering Council
- Scope
- London Borough of Havering
- Updated
- 2026-05-29 12:18
Source check
Report a trust issue
Send a clear signal to community moderation if the source, facts or context need review.
Comments