Four new members are set to be welcomed to Greenwich Council’s cabinet as part of a major reshuffle under Labour leader Dan Thorpe.

The overhaul will see Denise Scott-McDonald appointed deputy leader of the council on an interim basis, in a role initially meant to be held by Cllr Christine Grice, who lost her long-running fight with cancer earlier this month.

Cllr Scott-McDonald will now hold the post until a party meeting is held to decide on a permanent replacement.

The Peninsula ward representative will also leave her role as air quality, sustainability and transport cabinet member – where she played a leading role in formulating the council’s response to the divisive Silvertown Tunnel project- to take on the economy and skills portfolio.

Her previous role will be taken over by Cllr Sizwe James, who will jump from his post as regeneration and growth member to the broadly-titled environment, sustainability and transport portfolio.

Gone from the cabinet are former deputy leader David Gardner, economy, skills and apprenticeships boss Denise Hyland, who takes on a new role as deputy mayor; and adult’s social care and health member Averil Lekau, who helped lead on controversial new social care charges over the last year.

Among the newcomers to cabinet are Cllr Adel Khaireh (culture and communities), Cllr Anthony Okereke (housing), current planning board chair Sarah Merrill (regeneration and growth) and Matt Morrow (children and young people).

The developments result in a reshuffle for the other members remaining on the cabinet.

It will see Shooters Hill member Chris Kirby leave his housing responsibilites for a new position as finance and resources member.

Cllr Jackie Smith will take up the portfolio for community safety and enforcement, while Miranda Williams will be named member for health and adult social care.

Across the chamber, the Conservatives will also ratify changes to their party’s leadership.

It’ll see Cllr Nigel Fletcher head the opposition, after his predecessor Matt Hartley announced his intention in March to step down after five years in the role.

Eltham North ward member Charlie Davis will deputise.

The new arrangements were confirmed with the posting of the agenda for next week’s annual general meeting, which is due to be streamed live on Youtube as authorities across the UK adopt remote meetings in order to keep council business grinding along amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Greenwich Council is set to hold its first remote meeting at 2.30pm on Tuesday, with the authority’s planning board set to meet for the first time since lockdown.