Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Aylen, Berry, Borton, Burton, Davidson, Hyde and Leroy.

There were no declarations of interest at this meeting.

The Worshipful the Mayor welcomed to the meeting newly elected and returned Councillors who were elected at the Local Elections on 2nd May 2024.

On the nomination of Councillor Nick Ward, seconded by Councillor Martin Terry and with the unanimous support of the Council:

Resolved:

That Councillor Ron Woodley be appointed to the Office of Mayor of the City of Southend-on-Sea for the Municipal Year 2024/25.

The Worshipful the Mayor announced that he will be supported by Rev Frank Smith during his year of office.

The Worshipful the Mayor announced that the Mayoral Charities for his year of office would be HARP and the Jude Harvey Foundation.

Councillor Nigel Folkard proposed and Councillor James Courtenay seconded the motion having been supported by other speakers, it was unanimously:

Resolved:

That the best thanks of the Council be tendered to Councillor Stephen Habermel for the efficient and dignified manner in which he has performed the duties of the Office of Mayor during the past year, and for the ability and courtesy with which he has presided over the deliberations of this Council, and that as a token of the Council’s appreciation of such service he be presented with a Past Mayor’s Badge suitably inscribed and a Mayoral Album.

On the nomination of Councillor James Courtenay, seconded by Councillor Alan Dear, and with the unanimous support of the Council:

Resolved:

That Councillor Nigel Folkard be appointed to the Office of Deputy Mayor of the City of Southend-on-Sea for the Municipal Year 2024/25.