Community Life

Mohammed Abdus Salique, ward member for Bethnal Green North, has been elected as the new Mayor of Tower Hamlets. Bow East Councillor, Ahmed Omer, has been appointed his deputy.

At the same time, Councillor Denise Jones has been dropped as the leader of the Labour group on Tower Hamlets Council in favour of Councillor Lutfur Rahman. He has already made sweeping changes to his cabinet.

"I've put together an administration that I believe reflects a balance between experience and fresh new thinking," said Cllr Rahman.

"Over the past two years, under a Labour administration led by Cllr Denise Jones, Tower Hamlets has been established as one of the most successful and progressive councils in London."

The new members of the cabinet are Dr Anwara Ali, who is in charge of adult services, Alibor Choudhury, covering employment and skills, Rofique Ahmed for culture and leisure and Marc Francis for Housing.

A councillor defects

Cllr Rajib Ahmed, who represents East India and Lansbury ward, has defected from the Liberal Democrats to the Labour Party. He was a Labour councillor a decade earlier but left the party after he was deselected.

Labour MP for Poplar & Limehouse, Jim Fitzpatrick, said: " It’s good news for the people of East India and Lansbury ward to once again be represented by a team of three Labour councillors."

The council is now made up of 29 Labour councillors, 8 Conservatives, 7 Respect, 4 Liberal Democrats and 3 from Respect (The Unity Coalition).

angela.saini@bbc.co.uk