A Brent councillor has resigned from his cabinet position citing differences with the leader of the council on how to implement cuts in the borough.
Cllr Michael Pavey has stood down as the lead member for stronger communities just five months into his role due to a ‘different vision’ with Cllr Muhammed Butt.
The council is currently in the midst of making £54million worth of cuts in the borough.
Casualties so far include youth centres and Stonebridge Adventure Playground.
Council tax has also risen after a seven-year freeze.
In an email sent to his Labour colleagues yesterday, Cllr Pavey said: “I think it is clear that the leader and myself have developed differing views regarding how Brent Council can best serve its residents at a time of brutal Tory cuts.”
The 37-year-old, who has represented the Barnhill ward after winning a by-election in 2012, said he now plans to focus on his work with Sure Start children centres.
He told the Times: “Cllr Butt and I have different visions. We both tried to make it work but it hasn’t. Cllr Butt has his ideas, and I have mine.”
“I wanted to free up more time to commit to Sure Start and I will be working with the Labour Party to have a policy in place for the next election.”
In May, Cllr Pavey launched an unsuccessful bid to topple Cllr Butt as the leader of the council.
He subsequently lost his position as deputy leader and was given the stronger communities role which had been formerly held by Cllr James Denselow.
Cllr Butt told the Times: “I would like to take this opportunity to thank Michael for the work he has done whilst serving in the cabinet.
“I am confident that he will continue to play an important role in representing the residents of Barnhill and supporting the work of the council in the future.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here