Sutton Central councillor Cryss Mennaceur is Sutton's new deputy leader after Sam Martin stood down for family reasons. Luni Sabharwal is the new Deputy Mayor.

Sutton Council has a new deputy leader. Councillor Cryss Mennaceur, who represents Sutton Central, was appointed at the Full Council meeting this week. The council announced the change on Thursday (Sutton Council).

She replaces Councillor Sam Martin, who has stood down from the role for family reasons. He stays on as a councillor for Wallington South (councillor record).

The appointment has a knock-on effect in the Mayor’s office. Cllr Mennaceur had been Deputy Mayor since May. She has given that up, and the Mayor has appointed Councillor Luni Sabharwal, who represents Worcester Park South, as the new Deputy Mayor.

Who changes, and what they do

Role Before Now
Deputy Leader of the Council Sam Martin (Wallington South) Cryss Mennaceur (Sutton Central)
Deputy Mayor Cryss Mennaceur (Sutton Central) Luni Sabharwal (Worcester Park South)

The council leader is still Councillor Barry Lewis, and the Mayor is still Councillor Muhammad Sadiq. All four councillors named here are Liberal Democrats (council’s list of councillors by party).

The Full Council meeting was held at the Civic Offices on Monday 19 October (meeting page). The council has not yet published minutes for it.

About the new deputy leader

Cllr Mennaceur was first elected for Sutton Central in May 2022 and was re-elected this May. She has chaired the council’s Pension Committee since joining the council. The council’s register now lists her as both Deputy Leader and Pension Committee chair. Her other committee seats are a substitute place on the People Committee and a seat on the Sutton Local Committee (councillor record).

The council leader, Cllr Lewis, said she “brings a wealth of experience and community focus to the role”. He thanked Cllr Martin “for his dedication and service as Deputy Leader”.

Why Sam Martin stood down

Cllr Martin had been deputy leader since 2024. In the council’s statement he said he has recently become a father for the second time.

“I therefore feel the time is now right to concentrate on my family responsibilities,” he said. He added that he looked forward to seeing the council’s corporate plan, Our Sutton, “come to fruition”.

The new Deputy Mayor

Cllr Sabharwal was elected for Worcester Park South in May 2026, so the appointment comes in the councillor’s first year on the council. Cllr Sabharwal also sits on the Strategy and Resources Committee and the North Cheam, Stonecot and Worcester Park Local Committee (councillor record).

What it means for you

  • If you live in Sutton Central, your councillor now has a senior leadership role. Cllr Mennaceur’s council email is on her councillor page. Lib Dem councillors for the Sutton wards hold surgeries on the second and third Saturdays of the month, 11am to noon, by the St Nicholas Centre entrance opposite Marks & Spencer, according to the same page.
  • If you live in Worcester Park South, one of your two councillors is now Deputy Mayor. Cllr Sabharwal’s contact details are on the councillor page.
  • If you live in Wallington South, Cllr Martin remains one of your councillors.

The role sits in a system that is about to change. A new national law means Sutton must replace its committee system with a leader and cabinet by May 2027, which puts executive decisions with a smaller group around the leader. We explained that change in Sutton Council Must Switch to a Cabinet by May 2027.