Changes to Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council’s Cabinet Confirmed

Councillor Sandreni Bonfante will become Deputy Leader of the Council in addition to her responsibility for the Environment portfolio.  The current Deputy Leader, Councillor Jane Quinton will remain on the Cabinet as Executive Member for Community and Leisure.

The changes, which come into immediate effect, mean that the makeup of the new Cabinet is as follows:

• Councillor Rose Grewal, Leader of the Council and Executive Member for Planning
• Councillor Sandreni Bonfante, Deputy Leader of the Council and Executive Member for Environment
• Councillor Max Holloway, Executive Member for Transformation and Climate Change
• Councillor Gemma Moore, Executive Member for Housing
• Councillor Jane Quinton, Executive Member for Community and Leisure
• Councillor Astrid Scott, Executive Member for Finance
• Councillor Kieran Thorpe, Executive Member for Governance

The Council’s Business Plan for 2026-27 was approved at Full Council on 6 February and Cabinet Members have reiterated the new Joint Administration’s focus on ensuring stability and delivering on the Administration’s joint programme of priorities for the residents of Welwyn Hatfield.

Councillor Grewal said: “I would like to express my sincere thanks to Councillor Quinton, and to Councillor Holloway, for all that they have achieved as Deputy Leader and Leader of the Council.  I look forward to continuing to work with both of them as Members of Cabinet.  I also look forward to working with Councillor Bonfante as the new Deputy Leader of the Council, building on all that the previous Joint Administration has achieved.  I am confident that the changes that we are confirming to our Cabinet today will bring a renewed commitment to delivering a shared agenda and vision for the residents of Welwyn Hatfield.”

Councillor Bonfante said: “I would like to add my thanks to Councillor Quinton and for their hard work as Deputy Leader of the Council.  As the new Deputy Leader of the Council, I look forward to working with Councillor Grewal and with Members to build on the successes that we have achieved under the previous Joint Administration, and to continuing to put our community at the heart of everything that we do.”   

Councillor Quinton said: “There have been many changes over the last month and with the start of a new chapter for the Joint Administration, I feel it is right to let another person help run the new Joint Administration as Deputy Leader.  I have now made the difficult decision to step aside from that role, however, I will be remaining on Cabinet and look forward to contributing to the success of the new Joint Administration.”

Councillor Holloway said: “I look forward to working on the new Joint Administration.  This will allow us to continue to put our residents first and build on the achievements of the previous Joint Administration.  As a Member of the Cabinet, I look forward to continuing to work with the new Leader and the new Deputy Leader on our shared priorities.”