Richard Olszewski confirmed as new Leader of Camden Council
Councillor Richard Olszewski has been appointed as Leader of Camden Council by July’s Full Council meeting (Monday 22 July).
Councillor Olszewski previously held the role of Cabinet Member for Finance and Cost of Living, where he ensured the council delivered both a balanced budget and much needed public services despite huge reductions in government funding, while leading Camden’s response to help residents through a cost-of-living crisis.
Councillor Olszewski set out the opportunity ahead to work with the new Government, partners, and residents to tackle big challenges the borough faces, including the housing crisis and the climate emergency.
It’s such a huge privilege to be Council Leader in the borough I’ve called home for more than 30 years. I’m looking forward to working together with Camden communities, partners, councillors and officers to provide the very best opportunities to our residents. Specifically, I’m committed to us driving forward our housing ambitions, including building more high-quality social and affordable housing for our families, ensuring residents have access to high-quality apprenticeships, good jobs and skills training and supporting residents to live active and healthy lives.
I reaffirm Camden’s commitment to tackling the climate emergency on a local level, a challenge we all face and know will require contributions and new initiatives from across our communities and industries. I also want to ensure Camden continues to be a welcoming place which supports every single person in our diverse communities and provides the conditions for them to succeed.
I want to take this opportunity to pay tribute to former Leader Georgia Gould who has been an inspirational and transformative leader who put our communities right at the heart of our decision making and led us during a challenging time for local government. I also pay tribute to councillors Danny Beales who played a key role in so many vital projects for Camden in his time as a Cabinet Member, and Lloyd Hatton who served his community so well. I wish them all the very best in their new roles as MPs.
Three by-elections will take place to replace outgoing councillors Georgia Gould, Danny Beales and Lloyd Hatton in Kentish Town South, Camden Square and Kilburn respectively. More details on these will be announced soon.