City council leader announces new cabinet

A Peterborough City Council leader has been selected after no party secured an overall majority in the local elections.

At an annual meeting on Monday, the previous leader, Labour councillor Shabina Qayyum, was chosen to carry on in the position, and she announced her cabinet for 2026/27.

Following the recent elections, the city council is made up of 13 Conservatives, 11 Labour, nine Independents, eight Liberal Democrats, eight Peterborough Firsts, six Greens and five Reform UK members.

Qayyum said: "We face significant challenges... but we also have a real opportunity - to lead with purpose, to be ambitious, and to deliver for every community across Peterborough."

Qayyum has been leader of the council since September.

Announcing her cabinet, Qayyum selected Peterborough First councillor Neil Boyce as her deputy.

The rest of the cabinet was:

• Labour councillor Mohammed Jamil, cabinet member for finance and corporate governance
• Labour councillor Katy Cole, portfolio holder for children and young people
• Labour councillor Angus Ellis, cabinet Member for Transport
• Liberal Democrat councillor Christian Hogg, cabinet member for regulatory services and enforcement
• Labour councillor Zameer Ali, cabinet member for communities and public safety
• Liberal Democrat councillor Chris Wiggin, cabinet member for environment
• Labour and Cooperative Party councillor Numan Ali Iqbal, cabinet member for growth and regeneration
• Liberal Democrat councillor Ann Shaheed, cabinet member for public health, homelessness and poverty

Independent councillor Kevin Tighe and Liberal Democrats councillor Jade Seagar were appointed as cabinet advisors.

At the meeting, Qayyum said she wanted to "make a difference", and priorities included protecting vital frontline services, driving economic growth and jobs, supporting vulnerable residents and improving the environment.

She said: "We will work as one team — not in silos — because the challenges we face do not fit neatly into departmental boxes... the solutions require us to work together.

"Leadership is not just about those sitting around the cabinet table. It is about every councillor in this chamber, officers across the organisation, and partners across our city. We will only succeed if we work together, listen to each other, and stay focused on what really matters — the people we serve."

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