Cllr Grace Williams announces cabinet role switch for members

Waltham Forest Council leader Grace Williams has re-organised her team with Cllr Kizzy Gardiner becoming the new cabinet member for children and young people.

The news follows the announcement that the current portfolio holder, Cllr Alistair Strathern, has been chosen as the Labour Party candidate to run in the Mid Bedfordshire by-election.

As his time will now be divided between Waltham Forest and Bedfordshire, Cllr Strathern will pass the role over to Cllr Gardiner so she can focus on this portfolio. The cabinet member for children and young people is responsible for schools, children’s social care, youth offending, early help and special educational needs.

Cllr Gardiner’s current position as cabinet member for 15-minute neighbourhoods will be taken on by Cllr Strathern. The council is currently running a series of Let’s Talk engagement sessions across the borough where councillors will speak with residents about the improvements they want to see in their neighbourhoods. Cllr Strathern will be ensuring their voices are heard when deciding which projects will be funded later in the year.

Since taking on the role in 2021, Cllr Strathern has overseen significant achievements including establishing breakfast clubs for primary school children who need extra help, supporting local families over the winter break, and winning £4m of Government funding for Family Hubs across the borough to ensure every family has access to the services they need as children grow up. 

In April 2023 Cllr Strathern helped secure a motion which commits the council to treating care experience as if it were a protected characteristic. Anyone who has been through the care system will be offered a better deal, and their needs will be given full consideration when accessing council services such as housing.

Cllr Williams said, “I would like to congratulate Alistair in being selected to run in the Mid Bedfordshire by-election and thank him for all the incredible work he has done as cabinet member for children and young people.

“This is a hugely important portfolio with considerable responsibility and during his time in the role Alistair has been a real champion for children and young people across Waltham Forest, working tirelessly to make sure they are represented by this council and given the best start in life.

“We both agree that with his time now divided between Waltham Forest and Bedfordshire we need to have someone who can focus on the vital task of supporting Waltham Forest children and young people, including the sustained oversight of Children’s Services.

“I’m therefore delighted that councillor Kizzy Gardiner will be our new cabinet member for children and young people. Kizzy was the UK’s first ever locum MP covering for Stella Creasy whilst on maternity leave in 2019 and she understands what a difference this council can make to the lives of children and young people as seen already through our works on Youth Hubs.  Her leadership for this area will build on the excellent foundations that Alistair has begun.

“I know colleagues will welcome and support her as she steps into this most important of cabinet posts.”