The Mayor’s Chaplain will say prayers, after which the Mayor will welcome guests to the meeting.

The Retiring Mayor’s Chaplain, Reverend Simon Rowlands, opened the meeting with a prayer.

To confirm the appointment of Councillor Lesley Ingham as Mayor for the civic year 2016/17.

The Mayoral party will now retire for re-robing.

The retiring Mayor advised that the decision to appoint a Mayor elect was taken at the Council meeting on 17 February 2016, where it was resolved that Councillor Lesley Ingham be elected Mayor for the Civic Year 2016/17.

Councillor Ben Stokes gave a speech to support the decision to elect Councillor Lesley Ingham as Mayor, and Councillor Sue Gent spoke to endorse the decision.

The Mayor read out and signed her Declaration of Acceptance of Office, and announced that Miss Ashlee Brawn would be her Mayoress for the Mayoral year. Councillor Ingham and Miss Brawn were presented with their badge of office and flowers.

Resolved:

(1)            That the decision made at the Council meeting on 17 February 2016 to elect Councillor Lesley Ingham as Mayor for the Civic Year 2016/17 be endorsed.

The new Mayor will outline the forthcoming Mayoral year, including their chosen charities.

The Mayor thanked Members for her election and outlined her chosen charities for the forthcoming Mayoral year.  She advised that she would be raising funds for SSAFA, a charity that provided welfare and support for families in the armed forces; and Perthes Disease, a childhood hip disorder. The Mayor spoke of how much she was looking forward to her Mayoral year.

A vote of thanks will be given to the retiring Mayor, Councillor Anita Walker and the retiring Mayoress, Mrs Sylvia Lawrence.

The retiring Mayor is invited to say a few words about their Mayoral Year and to present gifts.

Councillor Bowles proposed and Councillor Gerry Lewin seconded a vote of thanks to the Retiring Mayor, Councillor Anita Walker, for her work as Mayor throughout the Civic Year 2015/16.

Councillor Anita Walker thanked those that had helped her during her year in office, and gave particular thanks to her retiring Mayoress, the incoming Mayor, the Civic Attendant, and the Mayor’s Personal Assistant.  She advised that she had attended over 270 engagements, and her visit to the Royal Garden Party where she met with the Queen and other members of the Royal family was especially memorable. She had also enjoyed her visits to local schools, particularly over the Christmas period.  Councillor Anita Walker then presented her retiring Cadet, Able Cadet Jamie Brown from the Sheppey Sea Cadets, with a certificate and gift, and gave gifts to Reverend Simon Rowlands, the Mayor’s PA, the Civic Attendant, the outgoing Mayoress, and the incoming Mayor.

The Mayor presented Councillor Walker with a civic shield and scroll, a past Mayor’s badge and flowers, and also presented flowers to Mrs Sylvia Lawrence.

To confirm the appointment of Councillor Prescott as Deputy Mayor for the civic year 2016/17.

The Mayor advised that the decision to appoint a Deputy Mayor elect  was taken at the Council meeting on 17 February 2016 where it had been resolved to appoint Councillor Prescott as Deputy Mayor for the Civic Year 2016/17.

Councillor Andy Booth gave a speech to support the decision to elect Councillor Prescott as Deputy Mayor.  The Mayor spoke to endorse the decision.

The Deputy Mayor read out and signed his Declaration of Acceptance of Office, and was presented with his badge of office. Mrs Pamela Prescott, Deputy Mayoress, was presented with her badge of office and flowers.

Resolved:

(1)          That the decision made at the Council meeting on 17 February 2016 to elect Councillor Prescott as Deputy Mayor for the 2016/17 Civic Year be endorsed.

The Mayor will announce the appointment of her Cadet for the forthcoming civic year 2016/17 and will present the cadet with the official badge.

The Mayor announced the appointment of Corporal Lauren Kingsnorth from Sheppey Squadron Air Training Corps as her Cadet for the forthcoming Civic Year, and presented Corporal Kingsnorth with her Cadet badge.

The Mayor will announce the appointment of her Chaplain for the forthcoming civic year 2016/17.

The Mayor announced that she would be appointing Reverend Canon Frank Moran from St. Henry & St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, Sheerness, as her Chaplain for the forthcoming Civic Year.

The Mayor’s Chaplain will say prayers, after which guests and members of the public are asked to remain standing whilst the official party withdraws.

Members are reminded that the Annual Council meeting will reconvene tomorrow evening, Wednesday 18 May 2016 at 7pm in the Council Chamber, Swale House, to conclude its business.

The Reverend Canon Frank Moran concluded the evening with prayers.

The Mayor reminded Members that the second part of the Annual Council would be held the following evening, starting at 7pm in the Council Chamber, Swale House, Sittingbourne. She invited Members and guests to join her for light refreshments.