Clissold councillor Sade Etti given housing needs brief in minor cabinet reshuffle

Cabinet member for housing needs and homelessness, Cllr Sade Etti. Photograph: Hackney Labour

Hackney Mayor Caroline Woodley has announced the appointments of three new cabinet members and six ‘champions’.

Former deputy cabinet member Cllr Sade Etti will now serve as a full cabinet member for housing needs and homelessness.

Cllrs Sam Pallis and Joe Walker will provide additional support as deputy cabinet members.

The six new member champions have also been appointed to support the cabinet.

Cllr Gilbert Smyth is champion for climate and justice, Cllr Joseph Ogundemuren for disability and inclusion, Cllr Sarah Young for green infrastructure, Cllr Ian Rathbone for No Place for Hate, and former Speaker Cllr Anya Sizer for special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

Newly confirmed Speaker Cllr Sheila Suso-Runge is heritage champion.

Mayor Caroline Woodley said: “These appointments reflect our commitment to building a better Hackney for all our residents.

“The new cabinet member, deputy cabinet members and champions will bring fresh energy and perspective to our work.”

The announcements were made at last week’s annual general meeting, during which Mayor Woodley also celebrated the achievements of Hackney Council over the past year.

Highlights included solar panels for council houses, expanding GP practices and tackling hate crime.

Woodley complained about the lack of central government funding, and said the council “are doing all we can to ensure those on the lowest income getting all the support we need”.

She added: “Whilst we have reason for celebrating all we have delivered… we must acknowledge the context with which we are working.”

The mayor also extended her sympathies to those impacted by the Israel-Hamas war.

“We continue to mourn those who are victims of the Hamas attack on 7 October, and in Gaza the death and destruction we’re seeing is intolerable.

“Words alone do not do justice to the truly horrendous events we are witnessing.

“In this chamber, we have called for an immediate ceasefire, humanitarian aid and the release of all hostages.

“I call on the government to bring scrutiny and transparency to support ethical investment and to uphold international human rights law.”

A special shout-out was given to Dawn Carter-McDonald, who was appointed chief executive of the council on Tuesday.

Carter-McDonald has been interim chief executive since July 2023.

“I am grateful to have had [Carter-McDonald] by my side,” said Mayor Woodley. “Her dedication to Hackney and its people knows no bounds.”