Agenda item

To appoint a Mayor of the Borough of Charnwood for the Council year 2022/23.

In accordance with Council Procedure 9.1 of the Council’s Constitution, Council considered electing a Mayor for the 2021/22 Council year. It was proposed by the Leader and seconded by Councillor Miah that Councillor Tillotson be elected Mayor of the Borough of Charnwood for the 2022/23 Council year and until her successor becomes entitled to act as Mayor.

In proposing the motion, Councillor Morgan referred to the challenge of representing the Borough as the mayor of Charnwood and stated that Councillor Tillotson had all the qualities that make a great Mayor.

He spoke about her degree in Performing Arts and the Stage Left Theatre Workshop that she co-founded with her husband and Consort, John.

He also spoke about Councillor Tillotson’s life in Charnwood. She had lived in the Borough for almost 50 years and knew the area very well. Prior to her retirement, Councillor Tillotson had worked in Local Government for 20 years in Leicestershire and was passionate about Mayoralty and the council in resident’s lives.

Councillor Morgan referred to Councillor Tillotson’s hobbies. She was a keen cyclist, completing many long distance rides in the UK and overseas, and also a  talented garden designer.

Councillor Morgan spoke about Councillor Tillotson’s role as a mother and a grandmother. She had two children, Lisa and Dylan, and three grandchildren, Thea, Georgia and Logan.

Councillor Morgan highlighted that Councillor Tillotson’s Mayoral year would involve representing the Borough during the Queen’s Jubilee. He also referred to the hundreds of events that the Mayor’s diary would be populated with throughout the year.

Councillor Morgan finished by thanking Councillor Tillotson for taking up the challenge of representing the Borough as Mayor of Charnwood and wished her a great year ahead. 

In seconding the motion, Councillor Miah referred to Councillor Tillotson’s early years, family life and how she was brought up a Methodist.

After marrying John and having children, the family moved to Loughborough where John had a teaching position at Rawlins Community College. After raising the children, Councillor Tillotson became interested in pursuing further education. Following this she began her career at Leicester City Council, which she enjoyed for 20 years. By the end of her career at Leicester City Council, she was Assistant Director of the Leisure Services department.

Councillor Miah described how following retirement, Councillor Tillotson felt that she wanted to become more involved within the Charnwood community, which lead her to stand for election as a Councillor. He said that Councillor Tillotson would be an excellent Mayor. He highlighted that as communities are recovering from the Covid-19 Pandemic, Councillor Tillotson’s role of Mayor was substantially important. He urged Councillor Tillotson to enjoy herself and to have a fantastic year.

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

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that Councillor Tillotson be elected Mayor of the Borough of Charnwood for the 2022/23 Council year and until her successor becomes entitled to act as Mayor.

Following this, Councillor Tillotson signed her declaration of acceptance of office. Following a short adjournment, Councillor Tillotson (Mayor for 2022/23) officiated for the remainder of the meeting.