Leader of the Council

The Leader of the Council is nominated by the elected members of the party who has overall control of the Council, and is appointed at a Full Council Meeting. Richmond upon Thames is currently Liberal Democrat controlled and the Leader is Cllr Serge Lourie. He became Leader of the Council in May 2006 and was previously Leader from May 2001 to May 2002.  He was  Leader of the Opposition from May 2002 to May 2006.

Specific roles

The Leader is the head of the Council’s Executive, which is the part of the Council responsible for most day-to-day decisions. The Executive is made up of the Leader and a Cabinet of 8 other Councillors, who are nominated by the Leader and appointed at a Full Council Meeting. Each Cabinet Member has an individual portfolio which has been delegated by the Leader. The Cabinet meets on a monthly basis and is chaired by the Leader.

The Leader also plays an informal role in nominating members of their party to sit on the Council’s various Committees. Membership on the Council’s Committees reflects the balance of political control in the Council.

At Full Council Meetings, where all Councillors meet collectively several times a year, the Leader answers Public, Member or Written Questions that do not fall under the remit of any of the other Cabinet Members. As Cabinet Member for Strategy and Partnerships, the Leader also answers questions that concern these areas.

General roles

The Leader is responsible and accountable for the major policy direction of the Council, and represents the Council externally. He is also responsible for identifying new strategies and policies for improving the Council's operations.

The Leader also represents the local community in negotiations with local, regional, national and international organisations, and seeks to develop strong relationships with relevant agencies whose activities affect or serve residents and others within Richmond upon Thames. He also chairs the Local Strategic Partnership.

You can find out more about the Leader of the Council by visiting the Leader and Cabinet Member for Strategy and Partnerships web page.

Contact the Leader of the Council

Leader's Office

Telephone: 020 8487 5001
Email: cllr.slourie@richmond.gov.uk or the Assistant to the Leader and Executive on s.allan@richmond.gov.uk

Address

Cllr Serge Lourie
York House
Richmond Road
Twickenham
TW1 3AA

Home address

Cllr Serge Lourie
59 Burlington Avenue
Kew
Richmond, Surrey
TW9 4DG

Home Phone: 020 8876 3545
Fax: 020 8876 7368