Michael White (British politician)

'''Cllr. Michael White''' is the Leader of London Borough of Havering Council, the Leader of the Conservative Group in the London Borough of Havering Council and a member for the Emerson Park ward in London Borough of Havering Council.

Early Life
Cllr. Michael White was educated in Dagenham and went to college in Havering. He attended the University of North London where he obtained a BA (Hons) in Politics.

White worked in information technology for the Police IT Organisation for 12 years. The sole purpose of this organisation is the design and provision of ICT systems for the Police to enable and assist them to undertake their law enforcement duties.

Political Career
White joined the Conservative Party in 1982 and has been involved in politics ever since. He has been a Member of Havering Council since 1994 and in that time has held many different positions mainly in the fields of Information Technology and Communications.

In 1998 he became Deputy Leader of the Conservative Group on Havering Council and Deputy Leader of the Council in 2002. His responsibilities were e-government and communications but he later took on responsibility for the Council’s drive to improve its Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA) score.

In May 2004 he became Leader of the Council with a focus on improving the community leadership role of councillors representing the authority. In May 2010, White was re-elected Leader of the Council to serve for another four years. In this capacity Michael chairs the Havering Strategic Partnership, which brings together the Council’s key partners.

In his role as Leader of the Council, Cllr. Michael White leads the decision-making process and directs strategic policy-making and budget setting. Cllr. White works closely with the Council's Corporate Management and Chief Executive to deliver local services for the residents of Havering.

Cllr. Michael White holds local Meet the Leader sessions in local shopping centres, where residents can meet the leader and ask any questions that they may have.

Board Appointments
White is also a member of the London Thames Gateway Development Corporation Board and from 2008 to 2010 was Deputy Leader of London Councils. In November 2010, White was appointed to the board of the Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust in the role of Non-Executive Director. White also sits on the following boards; Havering Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Havering Joint Forum, Havering Local Strategic Partnership, Local Government Association General Assembly, London Council's Leaders' Committee, Romford Town Centre Partnership and the Thames Gateway London Partnership.