Councillor Gillian Harris MBE has been appointed Leader of Havant Borough Council, becoming the first woman to lead the authority.
Representing Havant St Faith’s ward, Councillor Harris is the new Leader of the Council, as well as leading the Labour Group, bringing with her the experience she has as a borough councillor since 2023. She also brings a wealth of knowledge from her professional background as head of Tower Hamlets School's Library Service.
Supporting Councillor Harris in the coalition administration is Deputy Leader Councillor Netty Shepherd leader of the Green party, alongside Councillor Philippa Gray, Liberal Democrat group leader.
Councillor Harris said “We have been elected as a Labour-led coalition with the Green Party and the Liberal Democrat group on the council.
“We have an excellent corporate strategy, developed under the leadership of Councillor Phil Munday, and our objective is to ensure the continued smooth delivery of that strategy over the next two years through a collaborative and inclusive administration that will bring the stability our borough needs.
“I am delighted to have Councillor Shepherd as Deputy Leader of the Council and, after constructive discussions over the last few days, we have reached agreement on how we will lead the borough. The cabinet we have formed brings experience across all areas.
Councillor Harris was awarded an MBE, the prestigious UK honour by the monarchy, in 2019, in recognition to her service to libraries in education.
Her career began with roles at public libraries in Tameside, Manchester, and the London boroughs of Bromley and Southwark, before undertaking a year-long exchange project with a children's librarian in Vermont, USA.
She then went on to spend two years as a VSO (Voluntary Service Overseas) volunteer in Gambia, West Africa, where she worked with the National Library Service to establish a branch library in Brikama, before starting work in the London Borough of Westminster and then Tower Hamlets.
Gillian goes on to say “Our focus will be on delivering stability, transparent decision-making and practical improvements for residents, communities and local businesses across the borough.
“As the first female leader of the council, I am proud of the increasing number of women across the chamber who have been elected to serve.”
A new Cabinet formed through a partnership between Labour, Green and Liberal Democrat councillors:
- Cllr Gillian Harris – Leader of the Council, Cabinet lead for Corporate Strategy, Regeneration and Communications
- Cllr Netty Shepherd – Deputy Leader of the Council, Cabinet lead for Public Realm
- Cllr Richard Brown – Cabinet lead for Planning and Regulation, Armed Forces Champion
- Cllr Philippa Gray – Cabinet lead for Finance and Resources
- Cllr Antonia Harrison – Cabinet lead for Communities, Active Wellbeing and Waterlooville Regeneration
- Cllr Jonathan Hulls – Cabinet lead for Coastal, Coastal communities and Local Plan
- Cllr Philip Munday – Cabinet lead for Local Government Reorganisation, Governance and New Housing Delivery
- Cllr Amy Redsull – Cabinet lead for Housing