Southwark Lib Dems announce lineup of opposition spokespeople

With their group of 25 councillors reduced to just 13 in last month's local elections, Southwark Liberal Democrats have dispensed with the idea of appointing a shadow cabinet and instead given each member of the group a policy portfolio.

The group will continue to be led by Cllr Anood Al-Samerai with Adele Morris remaining in the deputy leader role.

"Our new team has a huge diversity of age, gender, ethnicity and background," said Anood Al-Samerai.

"We are already back challenging Labour councillors in the town hall. More importantly, we are out on doorsteps and in advice surgeries helping with the things people really care about like housing and jobs."

• Cllr Anood Al-Samerai – leader; finance & jobs
• Cllr Adele Morris – deputy leader; regeneration
• Cllr David Hubber – community safety
• Cllr Damian O'Brien – transport
• Cllr James Barber – environment
• Cllr Ben Johnson & Cllr Hamish McCallum – housing
• Cllr Eliza Mann – communities and citizenship
• Cllr Maria Linforth-Hall – adult social care
• Cllr David Noakes – health
• Cllr Lisa Rajan – leisure
• Cllr James Okosun – children's services
• Cllr Rosie Shimell – education

The Lib Dem group announced their new lineup to coincide with Wednesday night's council assembly meeting at which Labour leader Peter John was reelected as leader of the council and the cabinet appointments announced last week were confirmed.

Four new deputy cabinet members have been appointed by the Labour group:

• Cllr Leo Pollak – deputy cabinet member for excellence in design
• Cllr Radha Burgess – deputy cabinet member for women's safety
• Cllr Jamille Mohammed – deputy cabinet member for interfaith community relations
• Cllr Stephanie Cryan – deputy cabinet member for financial inclusion

Cllr Bill Williams (Rotherhithe) is the new chair of Bermondsey & Rotherhithe Community Council whilst Cllr Martin Seaton continues as chair of Borough, Bankside & Walworth Community Council.

Cllr Nick Dolezal remains chair of the planning committee.