A new deputy leader of Redbridge Council has been elected to replace Wes Streeting, who has stepped down after being elected to parliament.

Cllr Elaine Norman will take on the role, while continuing as cabinet member for children and young people.

Cllr Muhammed Javed has also stepped down as cabinet member for housing, and will be replaced by Cllr Ross Hatfull.

Labour council leader Cllr Jas Athwal said: “I’m delighted that Cllr Elaine Norman will be taking up the reins as deputy leader of the council. There are tough times ahead for local government, but we will tackle these challenges head on.”

Two new faces have also been elected to the cabinet, with the creation of additional portfolios to focus on issues in the borough.

Cllr Dev Sharma, formerly in charge of adult social care, will become cabinet member for Civic Pride.

And Cllr Farah Hussain, ward member for Valentines, will become cabinet member for fairer Redbridge, tackling domestic violence, poverty and inequality and taking responsibility for the recommendations made as part of the Fairness Commission.

Elsewhere in the cabinet, Cllr Mark Santos, ward member for Hainault, will become cabinet member for Health and Social Care.

Cllr Ross Hatfull, formerly cabinet member for Community Safety and Enforcement, will now be responsible for Housing, Payments and Benefits.

Cllr Muhammed Javed will be leaving the cabinet and moving into an advisory role.

The remaining members will be Cllr Kam Rai, cabinet member for Finance & Support Services, Cllr Baldesh Nijjar, for Environment & Sustainability, and Cllr Helen Coomb, cabinet member for Planning Economy & Regeneration

Leader of the council Cllr Jas Athwal said: “Elaine brings years of experience and wisdom and I’m also pleased to be able to bring some fresh talent in the form of Mark Santos and Farah Hussain into our top team.

“During the first year of our administration, we’ve shown that we’re delivering on every single pledge we made to residents in the local elections, but there is still so much more to do.

“Civic pride, housing and regeneration will be major priorities for the coming year, as we continue our work to clean up the borough and make this an even better place to live.

“I’d like to thank Cllr Javed for his service – not just as Cabinet Member for Housing, but more widely – and I am grateful to him that he has made way with Cllr Streeting for some new faces at the top table.”