Janine GriffithsA fresh senior leadership team has been established to guide Leeds City Council over the upcoming municipal year. The appointments follow a significant shift in the local political arena after recent local elections left the council under no overall control.
Gains by Reform UK and the Green Party stripped Labour of its previous absolute majority, meaning no single political group holds more than 50 percent of the council seats. Despite this outcome, Labour remains the largest party by a notable margin, controlling 47 out of the city’s 99 council seats.
Operating as a minority administration, Labour has assembled a new executive board composed of its own members alongside Conservative opposition leader Alan Lamb. These administrative arrangements were finalised during the council’s annual general meeting at Leeds Civic Hall.
The Conservative Party forms the second-largest political block with 14 councillors, followed closely by the Green Party with 11 representatives and Reform UK with 10.
Making political history for the city, Gipton and Harehills Labour councillor Salma Arif has been designated as the first Muslim deputy leader of Leeds City Council. Alongside this historic leadership role, Councillor Arif will manage the local economy portfolio as an executive board member.
Sharing the deputy leader responsibilities is Kippax and Methley representative Mary Harland, who takes on the role of executive member for communities.
Addressing the assembled members at the annual meeting, council leader James Lewis outlined the shared path forward for the local authority.
“This is the first meeting of a council that is in no overall control,” Councillor Lewis stated. “It is something that happens in lots of councils in the country, even if it hasn’t happened in Leeds for a while. We are at the start of a journey about how we all work together going forward.”
Burmantofts and Richmond Hill representative Asghar Khan has been handed the housing and hubs portfolio, while Crossgates and Whinmoor councillor James Gibson takes charge of the environment brief.
Labour councillor Stephen Holroyd was officially elected as the city’s new Lord Mayor.
Support independent community journalism!
East Side Story covers the people, places and stories in Leeds that are too often overlooked. While national headlines chase conflict and clickbait, we focus on real communities and the issues shaping daily life in East Leeds.
Divisive content, AI noise and online rumours spread faster than ever. At the same time, many mainstream outlets are stretched and rarely spotlight the community organisations and local champions who deserve recognition.
East Side Story was created to change that. We answer only to our readers. We have no corporate owners or billionaire funders. Our journalists report freely, ask difficult questions and hold power to account.
Your support helps us keep this work going. Monthly contributions make the biggest impact because they allow us to invest in deeper reporting and fearless local journalism.
Supporters also receive exclusive updates, behind the scenes insights and other benefits as a thank you for keeping independent journalism alive.
