Councillor Thomas is taking over the leadership of the council from Councillor Richard Cornelius. Councillor Thomas has been Deputy Leader since 2011, as well as Chairman of the Assets, Regeneration and Growth Committee, and is a ward councillor for Finchley Church End.

Councillor David Longstaff will serve as Deputy Leader to Councillor Thomas. Councillor Richard Cornelius will become Chair of the Assets, Regeneration and Growth Committee.

Two new lead member roles were introduced at Annual Council. Councillor Shimon Ryde is the Lead Member for Strategic Planning and Placemaking, whilst Councillor Roberto Weeden-Sanz will be the Lead Member for Policing and Community Safety. Councillor Caroline Stock was also officially sworn in as the 55th Mayor of Barnet for the next year and she has appointed Councillor Lachhya Bahadur Gurung as her deputy

Councillor Dan Thomas.

Speaking in response to his appointment as Leader of Barnet Council, Councillor Dan Thomas, said: “I am both honoured and excited to be the new Leader of Barnet Council. This is a fantastic borough – and I will do my utmost in continuing to make it a better place for residents, businesses and visitors.

“I am looking forward to working with residents to ensure that Barnet continues to be a place that people love to live, and where local people benefit from the growth and opportunities that are being created. We have an exciting building programme that will make the borough better for everyone, including new leisure centres and community facilities opening this summer, and much needed housing that will provide future home owners and renters a quality place to live.

Councillor Caroline Stock being sworn in as the Mayor of Barnet

During her mayoral year Councillor Stock’s husband, Dr Richard Stock, will be the Mayor’s Consort and Councillor Lachhya Bahadur Gurung will be Deputy Mayor.

Councillor Stock takes over the chains of office from the borough’s previous Mayor, Councillor Reuben Thompstone for whom she also served as Deputy Mayor.

Born and raised in Barnet, Councillor Stock was first elected to Barnet Council in 2014 as ward member for Totteridge.

She has taken a keen interest in a range of issues relating to children and health, including serving as chairman of the council’s Health and Wellbeing Board.

Councillor Stock was instrumental in helping to launch the Mayor’s Golden Kilometre initiative.
Established in 2015 in response to the rise of childhood obesity, the project encourages primary school pupils from across the borough to run or walk a kilometre each day.

She has also devoted her time to trying to raise understanding of Type 2 Diabetes, promoting exercise and healthy eating at Diabetic awareness events.

The Mayor’s chosen charities for this municipal year will be Cherry Lodge Cancer Care and family support charity Home-Start Barnet.

Rabbi Miriam Berger will be the Mayor’s Chaplain.

The Worshipful the Mayor of Barnet, Councillor Caroline Stock, said: “This is a tremendously proud moment for me. I was born and raised in Barnet and it is truly a privilege to be appointed as the Mayor of Barnet for the coming year.

“Barnet is a fantastic place in which to live and I am thoroughly looking forward to meeting many of its wonderful residents during what I’m sure will be a very busy mayoral year.”