Cllr Ergin Erbil was elected as the new Leader of Enfield Council at last night’s Full Council meeting (18 September).
Born and raised in Enfield, Cllr Erbil continues to live in the borough with his young family while working in the public sector.
Cllr Ergin Erbil said, “Serving my home, Enfield, is the greatest honour of my life. Enfield is a special place, with inclusive, close-knit and welcoming communities, busy high streets, beautiful green spaces and lots to do - we have a vibrant borough.
“We have an incredible opportunity ahead of us. We already know Enfield is a great place to live, work, and visit, but there is work to be done to make sure every single one of our neighbours can build a good life right here in the borough. I will work closely with local people, and our partners in the Government, Police, and the Greater London Authority to bring in investment and our fair share of resources.”
Cllr Erbil was elected Labour councillor for Edmonton Green in 2018 and has been serving as the Council’s Deputy Leader since 2022.
As Deputy Leader he has overseen significant climate action projects including the delivery of a record number of street trees planted, the creation of wetlands and rewilding projects, improving accessibility to green spaces, the delivery of new school streets, which have all contributed towards creating a greener and more sustainable Enfield.
As well as continuing to deliver the green agenda, Cllr Erbil will also focus on creating a Fairer Enfield having chaired the first ever Equalities Board in Enfield in 2020.
Cllr Ergin Erbil said: “We will continue to invest in our town centres to create a borough where all residents can thrive.
“Over recent years Enfield Council has delivered hundreds of new homes for local people, wonderful parks, excellent schools, award-winning projects, national leadership on adult and social care provision, increased provision for those with special educational needs and disabilities, and so much more.
“We have some incredible projects in the pipeline that I am excited to progress - residents will see the completion of Reardon Court in the coming weeks and the beginning of the development at the Joyce and Snell’s Park estates in Upper Edmonton. In addition, the delivery of the first phase of improvements in Enfield Town are due for completion soon, one of many town centre projects that I am proud to be spearheading. Every bit as important is the continued day-to-day delivery of hundreds of essential services, amid the enormous financial challenges being faced by all local authorities.”
The new Leader will also focus on maintaining Enfield Council’s balanced budgetary position.
Enfield Council has been under-resourced for several years with central government funding cut in real terms by 42 per cent since 2010. Cost pressures in temporary accommodation remain acute, despite several actions that have been implemented to address this particular challenge.
However, the Council has balanced its budget through income and savings proposals.
Cllr Erbil and the Cabinet will work with the Government to try and ensure that going forward Enfield gets the funding and resources required to meet the needs of local residents and will continue to ensure the Council delivers sustainable and high-quality services.
Cllr Erbil said: “I have witnessed first-hand the challenges facing residents and local councils across the country, with rising demand for services, and our challenge to deal with years of funding cuts.
“In Enfield we have always risen to the challenge of protecting the vital services local people rely on and innovating to deliver more with less. I am confident we can tackle the ongoing financial challenges head-on. We may have to make some difficult decisions but our number one priority is to protect those that are most vulnerable and in greatest need. As Council Leader, I will ensure we continue to deliver good quality services and care to our residents, accelerate the provision of decent homes and affordable housing, and lay the foundations for young people to grow up in a borough with opportunities for their future development.”
He added: “I will lead our borough with a spirit of progress: proudly anti-racist, inclusive, welcoming, kind, and open. A place where you can be who you are. A place for us all.”
Cllr Tim Leaver was also confirmed at Wednesday’s Council meeting as the Deputy Leader. Members of the Council’s Cabinet and their portfolios are:
Children’s Services - Cllr Abdul Abdullahi
Community Cohesion and Enforcement – Cllr Gina Needs
Climate Action and Placemaking – Cllr Sabri Ozaydin
Environment, Culture and Public Spaces - Cllr Chinelo Anyanwu
Finance and Procurement – Cllr Tim Leaver
Health and Social Care – Cllr Alev Cazimoglu
Housing - Cllr Ayten Guzel
Planning and Regulatory Services - Cllr Susan Erbil
Transport and Waste - Cllr Rick Jewell
Leader’s message – September 2024
“I am thankful for the opportunity to serve residents and communities across our borough as Leader of Enfield Council. I was born and raised in Enfield and continue to live here with my young family.
“I am committed to continuing our long and successful track record of being a fiscally responsible and well-run Council, delivering the best for local people. We have an incredible opportunity ahead of us. We already know Enfield is a great place to live, work, and visit, but there is work to be done to make sure every single one of our neighbours can build a good life here in the borough. I will work closely with local people, and our partners in the Police, the Greater London Authority and Government to bring in investment and our fair share of resources.
“My immediate and main priorities include sustainability, the green agenda, reinvestment in our town centres and creating an environment where all residents can thrive. Tackling inequalities in health and wellbeing, employment and access to decent homes will also be the top of my agenda.
“Since becoming a councillor in 2018, I have witnessed first-hand the challenges facing residents and local councils across the country, with rising demand for services, and our challenge to deal with years of funding cuts. I am confident we can tackle the ongoing financial challenges head-on. We face these challenges with a strong Cabinet, committed council staff and an executive team that will work with me to make the most of opportunities for our Council and borough.
“We may have to make some difficult decisions but our number one priority is to protect those that are most vulnerable and in greatest need. As Council Leader, I will ensure we continue to deliver good quality services and care to our residents, accelerate the provision of decent homes and affordable housing, and lay the foundations for young people to grow up in a borough with opportunities for their future development.
“I will lead our borough with a spirit of progress: proudly anti-racist, inclusive, welcoming, kind, and open. A place where you can be who you are. A place for us all.”
Cllr Ergin Erbil, Leader of Enfield Council.