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

The Retiring Mayor’s Chaplain, Father Frank Moran, opened the meeting with a prayer.

To confirm the appointment of Councillor Prescott as Mayor for the civic year 2017/18.

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 15 February 2017,where it was resolved that Councillor Colin Prescott be elected Mayor for the civic year 2017 to 2018.

Councillor Andy Booth gave a speech to support the decision to elect Councillor Colin Prescott as Mayor, and Councillor Alan Horton spoke to endorse the decision.

The Mayor read out and signed his Declaration of Acceptance of Office and Oath of Allegiance, and announced that Mrs Pamela Prescott would be his Mayoress for the Mayoral year.  Councillor Prescott and Mrs Prescott were presented with their badge of office and Mrs Prescott was presented with flowers.

Resolved:

(1)       That the decision made at the Council meeting on 15 February 2017 to elect Councillor Colin Prescott as Mayor for the Civic Year 2017 to 2018 be endorsed.

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

The Mayor referred to his theme for the forthcoming Mayoral year as ‘Produced in Swale’, which was also his theme in his last Mayoral year in 2005 to 2006.  He advised he would be promoting local produce, talent, tourism and economic development and challenged hosts of events he would be attending in his Mayoral Year to provide local food and beverages if possible.  The Mayor announced he would be raising funds for Swale Hospital Radio and Swale Parkinson’s Support Group.

A vote of thanks will be given to the retiring Mayor, Councillor Lesley Ingham and the retiring Mayoress, Miss Ashlee Brawn.

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 Lesley Ingham for her work as Mayor throughout the Civic Year 2016 to 2017.  He praised both Councillor Ingham and her Retiring Mayoress Miss Ashlee Brawn for their outstanding work in representing the Borough.

Councillor Lesley Ingham thanked all Members for their support during her Mayoral Year and said that she felt proud to represent the Borough, had enjoyed all her visits but especially enjoyed meeting ordinary people that did so much to help others.  She added that she would miss her role as Mayor and gave particular thanks, love and good wishes to the Mayor’s Personal Assistant, Mrs Heather Elliott who was unable to be at the meeting.  Councillor Lesley Ingham then gave thanks and presented gifts and a certificate to her retiring Cadet, Sergeant Lauren Kingsnorth from the Sheppey Squadron Air Training Corps, and gave thanks and gifts to Father Frank Moran and to the Civic Attendant.  Finally, she wished the new Mayor and Mayoress good luck in their Mayoral year.

The Mayor presented Councillor Ingham with a civic shield and scroll, a past Mayor’s badge and flowers and also presented a past Mayoress’s badge and flowers to Miss Ashlee Brawn.

To confirm the appointment of Councillor Samuel Koffie-Williams as Deputy Mayor for the civic year 2017/18.

The Mayor advised that the decision to appoint a Deputy Mayor elect was taken at the Council meeting on 15 February 2017 where it had been resolved to appoint Councillor Samuel Koffie-Williams as Deputy Mayor for the Civic Year 2016 to 2017.

Councillor Mike Dendor gave a speech to support the decision to elect Councillor Koffie-Williams as Deputy Mayor and Councillor Mike Whiting 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 Doreen Koffie-Williams, Deputy Mayoress, was presented with her badge of office and flowers.

Resolved:

(1)          That the decision made at the Council meeting on 15 February 2017 to elect Councillor Samuel Koffie-Williams as Deputy Mayor for the 2017 to 2018 Civic Year be endorsed.

The Mayor will announce the appointment of his Cadet for the forthcoming civic year 2017/18 and will present the cadet with the official badge.

The Mayor announced the appointment of Corporal Shannon Pardoe from Sittingbourne Air Training Corps as his Cadet for the forthcoming Civic Year, and presented Corporal Pardoe with her Cadet badge.

The Mayor presented Committee badges to Mrs Sally Clifford-Cox, Mrs Julia Roberts, Mrs Sarah Williams, Councillor Tina Booth and Mrs Dawn Drury, all members of his Charities.

The Mayor will announce the appointment of his Chaplain for the forthcoming civic year 2017/18.

The Mayor announced that he would be appointing Reverend Richard Birch from Doddington, Newnham and Wychling Churches as his 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 17 May 2017 at 7pm in the Council Chamber, Swale House, Sittingbourne to conclude its business.

In the absence of Reverend Richard Birch, Authorised Lay Minister Mrs Stephanie Wolfe 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.  He invited Members and guests to join him for light refreshments.