Greenwich Council has revealed a change to its Labour cabinet after the lead for finance and resources announced he is relocating out of the borough.

Council leader Danny Thorpe announced the change as Cllr Chris Kirby, first elected in 2014, steps down as a councillor and cabinet member.

Cllr Thorpe said he had "constantly stood up for the people of the borough," adding that he was "not alone in expressing my gratitude to Cllr Kirby for all his hard work."

Replacing him as the cabinet member for finance and resources will be Cllr Linda Parks, who will take on the role alongside her current duties overseeing the vaccination roll-out.

Speaking of the changes, the council leader said: “I will not be alone in expressing my gratitude to Cllr Kirby for all his hard work, both in his recent role and as a leading figure in our ambitious plans for council housing.

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“Chris has constantly stood up for the people of our borough and should be proud of all he has accomplished during his time at the Town Hall. Everyone at Royal Greenwich wishes he and his family well in their next chapter.”

Cllr Thorpe added: “I am delighted that Cllr Perks is joining our cabinet. Having gone through several years of dwindling budgets, compounded by the pandemic, it will not be an easy job but I am sure that she will be up for the challenge.”

Cllr Perks, who represents Charlton, said: “I’m pleased to be joining the cabinet but I am under no illusions of the task ahead. With the end of the pandemic now in sight, all our attention must be on helping our borough recover.

“We are in unchartered waters, but together with hardworking officers we will do all we can to ensure our books are balanced and we can help support residents and help businesses get back on their feet.”