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

The retiring Mayor’s Chaplain, Reverend Richard Birch, said Prayers.

To confirm the appointment of Councillor Samuel Koffie-Williams as Mayor for the civic year 2018/19.

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 21 February 2018, where it was resolved that Councillor Samuel Koffie-Williams be elected Mayor for the civic year 2018 to 2019.

Councillor Mike Dendor gave a speech to support the decision to elect Councillor Samuel Koffie-Williams as Mayor, and Councillor Ken Pugh spoke to endorse the decision.

The Mayor read out and signed his Declaration of Acceptance of Office and announced that Mrs Doreen Koffie-Williams would be his Mayoress for the Mayoral Year.  Councillor Koffie-Williams and Mrs Koffie-Williams were presented with their badge of office and Mrs Koffie-Williams was presented with flowers.

Resolved:

(1)       That the decision made at the Council meeting on 21 February 2018, to elect Councillor Samuel Koffie-Williams as Mayor for the Civic Year 2018 to 2019 be endorsed.

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

The Mayor thanked Members for his election, introduced his Committee and advised that his charities for the year would include working with children and music therapy with the Swale Volunteers Service.  He thanked his Mayoress, Mrs Koffie-Williams and the retiring Mayor and Mayoress, and outlined his plans for the civic year.

A vote of thanks will be given to the retiring Mayor, Councillor Prescott and the retiring Mayoress, Mrs Prescott.

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 Bowles drew attention that it was only the fourth time a Mayor had been elected twice and praised the Retiring Mayor and Mayoress for their hard work.

In response, Councillor Prescott advised that there had been 277 Mayoral Engagements in his civic year.  He highlighted the trip to Ypres with his Cadet in November 2017 amongst the highlights, and was very proud of the local cadet forces.  Other highlights included the passing out parade of Gurkhas in Maidstone, the World War One Ambulance Train from Sittingbourne to Sheppey and his Civic Service. 

Councillor Prescott presented cheques to his charities; £6,000 to Hospital Radio Swale, £4,000 to Parkinson’s Support Faversham and £7,250 to Parkinson’s Support Sittingbourne and Sheppey.

Councillor Prescott then gave thanks and presented gifts and a certificate to his Cadet, Sargent Shannon Pardoe from the Sittingbourne Air Training Corps and gave thanks and gifts to his Chaplain Reverend Richard Birch and Council staff.   He then gave gifts and thanks to members of his Committee who had assisted throughout his Mayoral year.

The Mayor presented Councillor Prescott with a civic shield and scroll and a past Mayor’s badge and also presented a past Mayoress’s badge and flowers to Mrs Prescott.

To confirm the appointment of Councillor Ken Ingleton as Deputy Mayor for the Civic Year 2018/19.

The Mayor advised that the decision to appoint a Deputy Mayor-elect was taken at the Council meeting on 21 February 2018, where it was resolved that Councillor Ken Ingleton be elected Deputy Mayor for the civic year 2018 to 2019.

Councillor Mike Whiting gave a speech to support the decision to elect Councillor Ingleton as Deputy Mayor, and Councillor Alan Horton 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 Mick Ingleton, Deputy Mayoress, was presented with her badge of office and flowers.

Resolved:

(1)   That the decision made at Council on 21 February 2018 to elect Councillor Ken Ingleton as Deputy Mayor for the civic year 2018/19 be endorsed.

The Mayor will announce the appointment of his Cadet for the forthcoming civic year 2018/19 and will present the cadet with the official badge.

The Mayor announced the appointment of Ordinary Cadet Libby Carew from the Sittingbourne and Milton Sea Cadets as his Cadet for the forthcoming Civic Year, and presented Ordinary Cadet Carew with her Cadet badge.

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

The Mayor announced the appointment of his Chaplain Reverend Lesley Jones, Vicar of St. Michael’s Church, Sittingbourne as his Chaplain for the forthcoming 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 16 May 2018 at 7pm in the Council Chamber, Swale House, Sittingbourne to conclude its business.

Reverend Lesley Jones concluded the meeting with prayers.

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