To elect the Leader of the Council.
Minutes:
Councillor Ergin Erbil thanked the former Leader, Councillor Caliskan, for her years of service and dedication to the borough, the people of Enfield, communities and local businesses. He noted that Enfield and its residents have and will continue to benefit immensely from her leadership, and she will forever be a role model to young women everywhere.
Councillor Nesil Caliskan thanked those who sent messages when she was elected as MP for Barking in July. She was deeply honoured to lead the borough where she was born and grew up in and thanked the residents who gave her the opportunity. Her role as Leader allowed her to progress into other areas and serving on national boards including as an executive member for London Councils collaborating with colleagues cross party across London. After having been a councillor for almost a decade in Jubilee Ward, and six years as Leader of the Council, she advised this would be her last Full Council meeting before resigning as a councillor after the party conference season.
She thanked Ian Davis, Chief Executive, and senior officers past and present that she had the pleasure of working with who she described as brilliant public servants. She also thanked the Enfield Labour Group Office who are diligent, professional and patient. She wished the new Leader and Deputy Leader well in their new roles.
Members were invited to say a few words of thanks to Councillor Nesil Caliskan and congratulated Councillor Ergin Erbil.
Councillor Alessandro Georgiou congratulated Councillor Caliskan on her election as Barking MP and wished her every success in the new challenge of governing nationally. She was always a woman of her word, and she broke the glass ceiling of becoming the first female leader from a BAME background. He stated that Councillor Ergin Erbil will face some challenges including financial and environmental, but he will treat him the same as he did the former leader. He will always champion when someone from Enfield succeeds and congratulated him on his election.
Councillor Kate Anolue described Councillor Caliskan as a strong confident woman who speaks heart and mind and strives to empowering women and to speak up for themselves.
Councillor Nicki Adeleke supported Councillor Ergin Erbil as the new Leader. She thanked Cllr Nesil Caliskan for her support as without it they would not have stood as a councillor, she always offered encouragement and advice and always celebrated her successes including on becoming elected as a councillor which given her the courage to support and cheer on more young women.
Councillor Gina Needs commended Councillor Caliskan on the excellent job she had done as Council Leader especially during Covid. She spoke of the appreciation she felt and thanked for all the support she has been shown as a Cabinet Member since 2019 and especially since her diagnosis.
Councillor Susan Erbil thanked Councillor Caliskan for their ongoing support from becoming a councillor to a Cabinet Member under their leadership and congratulated Councillor Ergin Erbil on his election as Leader.
AGREED that Councillor Ergin Erbil be appointed Leader of the Council until the Annual Council Meeting in 2026.