Decision details

The retiring Mayor, Councillor Alfred Friday, welcomed all members and guests to the Annual Meeting of the Council. He extended a special welcome to visitors from Spelthorne’s twin town in Mauritius, Grand Port; Mr. Shyam Teeluck, Chief Executive and Mr Nirmal Domah, Chairperson. He thanked the officers of the Council and in particular the Chief Executive, Roberto Tambini and the Mayor’s secretary, Mrs Sheila Kimpton, for their hard work and support during his Mayoral year.

Councillor Alfred Friday reported on his year as Mayor and the many enjoyable and entertaining events he had attended which had raised over £24k for his chosen charities. He was pleased to report that during his Mayoral year, the Mayor’s Charity had been registered with the Charity Commission as a charitable fund and he thanked all those who had helped to set this up. He wished the new Mayor and Mayor’s Consort happiness and success in the coming year. Finally, he presented a gift to his secretary, Mrs Sheila Kimpton and a bouquet of flowers to his wife, Mrs Kaye Friday, as a small token of appreciation for their support.

It was moved by Councillor R.W. Sider BEM and seconded by Councillor R.A. Smith-Ainsley and

Resolved that Councillor Vivienne Jane Leighton be appointed Mayor for the Municipal Year 2017-2018.

A short adjournment took place to hand over the robes and badge of Office to the new Mayor during which a performance of three solo pieces was played on the saxophone by Isabella Bartlett.

Councillor Vivienne Jane Leighton made the Declaration of Acceptance of Office as Mayor of the Borough of Spelthorne and took the Chair. She thanked her proposer and seconder and the Council for supporting her in her election as Mayor. She presented Councillor Alfred Friday with the past Mayor’s badge and a scrapbook commemorating his time in office.

The outgoing Mayoress, Mrs Kaye Friday presented the Mayor’s Consort badge to the new Mayor’s Consort, Mr Chris Leighton, and he in turn presented Mrs Kaye Friday with a past Mayoress badge.

The Mayor paid tribute to Councillor Alfred Friday for his excellent service as Mayor.

The Mayor said that she hoped to appeal to different interests and different parts of the community and wanted to celebrate the river and its environment, support the frail and older, involve young people and celebrate their talents.

The Mayor thanked the Staines Business Improvement District for securing funding for the use of the Royal rowbarge Glorianaat the next Staines-upon-Thames day. She also thanked BP for agreeing to the use of their Links building for the Mayor’s Ball.

The Mayor announced that she had appointed a Chaplain for her Mayoral Year, the Reverend Chris Swift, Rector of St. Nicholas’, Shepperton. The Mayor presented Reverend Swift with the Chaplain’s badge.

During her term as Mayor, Councillor Leighton announced that she will be supporting the following charities:

·         Spelthorne Dementia Support (Purple Angels) : helping to raise awareness of dementia-related illnesses and giving assistance to Alzheimer’s sufferers and their carers;

·         Impossible Dream: providing river trips for wheelchair users;

·         Swan Sanctuary: a rescue centre and registered veterinary practice specialising in waterfowl.