Nominations were invited for the election of Mayor for the Municipal Year 2017-18.

It was proposed by Councillor Gledhill, and seconded by Councillor Hebb, that Councillor Ojetola be elected Mayor of the Borough and Chair of the Council for the Municipal Year 2017-18.

The Mayor declared that Councillor Ojetola had been duly elected as Mayor of the Borough and Chair of the Council for the Municipal Year 2017-18.

Councillor Ojetola signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office and also received the chains of office.

The Mayor thanked Councillor C Kent for all the hard work that she had done over the last 12 months and how generous she had been in sharing the mayoral roles with him.

The new elected Mayor, Councillor Ojetola, made a short speech thanking the Council for the honour of being elected as the Mayor of Thurrock and thanked all Councillors, his wife Bunmi Ojetola, his sister Femi Otukoya and her husband Dr Ken Otukoya. Councillor Ojetola’s plans over the next 12 months would be to promote Thurrock and promote the work of the “Unsung Heroes” who undertake charitable work. Councillor Ojetola hoped that this would be a busy but an exceedingly rewarding year ahead.

The Mayor presented Councillor C Kent and her Consort, Councillor Liddiard, with their past Mayor’s badge and past consort’s badge.

The Leader of the Council paid tribute to the out-going Mayor, Councillor C Kent, for the impact she had made on Thurrock in her time as Mayor, with her dignity and respect for all. Councillor C Kent had been a fantastic Mayor but would now have more time to spend with her family and on her Councillor duties. The Leader advised Councillor Ojetola not to try and fit into the previous Mayor’s shoes but to be himself.

Councillor Snell thanked Councillor C Kent for her enthusiasm as Mayor and stated she had been a fantastic Mayor. Councillor Snell congratulated Councillor Ojetola as Mayor and stated it was about time and that he was the right man for the job.

Councillor Gerrish stated that Councillor C Kent deserved the thanks that she had received for all her hard work that she had undertaken in the borough. Councillor Gerrish welcomed Councillor Ojetola as Mayor who would bring enthusiasm, energy and have the respect of residents of the borough.

Councillor C Kent thanked Members for their kind words and stating that it had been a great honour to be Mayor of Thurrock Council. She gave thanks to everyone in the Council Chamber and to everyone that she had the privilege of working with over the last 12 months.

Councillor C Kent stated that she had attended over 250 events and had been humbled to meet thousands of amazing Thurrock residents. Monies had been raised for her three charities: Thurrock Community Chest, The Fire Fighters Charity and The Epilepsy Action Group and thanked all for the support and contributions received.

Councillor C Kent thanked Father Bryan O’Shea, her consort Councillor Liddiard, Member Services, her Chauffeur Luke Hammond and to her husband and children.

Councillor C Kent wished Councillor Ojetola a successful year and gave him three pieces of advice. Be Yourself. Make Time for your family. Keep some humour within the Chamber to which she handed Councillor Ojetola a set of red and yellow warning cards to be used in the Council Chamber.

RESOLVED:

That Councillor Ojetola be duly elected as Mayor of the Borough and

Chair of the Council for the Municipal Year 2017-18.