Agenda item

Following the election of a new Mayor, Council considered a vote of thanks to the retiring Mayor, Councillor Brenda Seaton. It was proposed by Councillor Brookes and seconded by Councillor Bolton that this Council tenders to Councillor Seaton its thanks for the service she has provided as Mayor of the Borough of Charnwood and for the way in which she has presided over the Council’s business during the past Council year.

In proposing the motion, Councillor Brookes thanked Councillor Seaton and Mrs Helen Johnson for the way in which they had represented the Borough through their Mayoral term. He stated that the term had been like no other and that Councillor Seaton had been the longest serving Mayor of Charnwood due to the current circumstances.

Councillor Brookes stated that Councillor Seaton had taken to being Mayor easily and that her playful character was evident from the beginning of the term. She had bought humour to every engagement she had attended and had got involved in many activities throughout the year. These included fancy dress, judging dog shows and shooting rifles amongst many other activities. Councillor Seaton had attended 340 events during her Mayoral year and would have exceeded 420 without restrictions being applied during the pandemic. Councillor Seaton had been fortunate to attend three of Loughborough’s twinning towns; Epinal in France, Schwäbisch in Germany and Zamo?? in Poland.

Councillor Brookes commended Councillor Seaton for the way in which she conducted Full Council meetings as Chair. Her experience as a school teacher had been useful and she was known for her direct manner. Councillor Brookes recalls Councillor Seaton as Mayor, interrupting the Leader during one meeting of the Full Council, when he had exceeded his allocated speaking time. He stated that this approach meant that Full Council meetings operated efficiently.

Councillor Brookes concluded by stating that Councillor Seaton had been a fantastic Mayor and that she had represented the Borough well.

In seconding the motion, Councillor Bolton stated that she felt privileged to be able to do so and acknowledged the challenge that Councillor Seaton had endured as Mayor during this difficult time and that she had not been able to fulfil some of her duties.

Councillor Bolton considered Councillor Seaton an exemplary Mayor. At her first Full Council meeting as a newly elected Councillor, she had not stood up at the appropriate time, and she recalled Councillor Seaton’s look of disapproval. Councillor Bolton learnt from the experience and had never failed to stand again.

Councillor Seaton had been involved in two royal visits, and one of her highlights as Mayor was attending the 103rd birthday party of a resident. In addition to her community work, Councillor Seaton had visited all departments of the Council to thank staff for their work.

Councillor Seaton was also the first Mayor of Charnwood to participate in virtual meetings and to record virtual messages of support to residents and communities. In addition to this, she became the first Mayor of Charnwood to operate a Facebook page had been set up for Councillor Seaton to update residents on her Mayoral activities.

Councillor Seaton’s chosen Mayoral charity was Admiral Nurses, which provided support to the families of dementia patients. During her term, in excess of £3,700 had been raised.

Finally, Councillor Bolton thanked both Councillor Seaton and Mrs Helen Johnson for their service.

Following the above speeches, the Mayor put the motion to the vote and it was

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that this Council tenders to Councillor Seaton its thanks for the service she has provided as Mayor of the Borough of Charnwood and for the way in which she has presided over the Council’s business during the past Council year.

The Council records its gratitude for the manner in which she has maintained the position of the Mayoralty and the work she has done in meeting so many people in the Borough throughout the year.  The Council also extended its thanks to Mrs Helen Johnson for her service as Mayoress and for the help and support she provided to the Mayor and for the considerate and committed way in which she has undertook her role. The Council assured both Councillor Seaton and Mrs Helen Johnson that they have the best wishes of all its members for their future health and wellbeing.

Councillor Seaton responded by thanking both Councillor Brookes and Councillor Bolton for their kind words and referred to the amazing year she has had as Mayor.

Councillor Seaton stated that she had participated in many activities during her Mayoral term, including meeting pantomime dames, enjoyed balls and dinners, attended graduations and awards ceremonies, where she had seen acknowledgements of remarkable feats of endurance and dedication by members of the community. Councillor Seaton recalled her visit to Gypsum mines in Barrow-Upon-Soar where she had received a presentation and a tour, only to become lost in a vehicle with the manager of the mine. She remembered that the radios had failed and that the manager had advised that they abandon the vehicle and walk to the nearest station to call for help in the darkness. She described the event as exciting.

Councillor Seaton gave thanks to the team that supported her during her term, and referred specifically to the Civic Officer, Carol Hardy, with whom she had become good friends. Finally, Councillor Seaton thanked the people of Charnwood for making the Borough interesting, friendly and more equal. She stated that the Borough was filled with music, dancing, art, friendship, ambition and hope.

Councillor Seaton concluded by stating that she was confident that the new Mayor would make Charnwood proud and wished him luck for the year ahead.