For details of the order of proceedings please see page 7

The Mayor, Sayonara Luxton, welcomed everyone to the Annual Meeting and gave a brief résumé of her year in office.  She explained that it had been an honour to serve the residents of the Royal Borough as the Mayor once again.  Due to the Covid-19 pandemic the term of office had been a little longer than anticipated. It had in fact stretched to 19 months but it had been a privilege to be able to help the community at such a difficult time. 

Although since March the Mayor had been unable to host or attend the traditional events, virtual ways of communicating had been used instead.  It was not the same as meeting face to face but it was lucky that the technology was in place to keep people in touch.

The Mayor commented that it had been humbling to see how the community had pulled together.  She had been overwhelmed by the response to her scrubs appeal and delighted that she had been able to continue fundraising for her chosen charity, Thames Hospice. It had been disappointing to have to cancel the annual Mayoral Charity Ball but heartening to receive so many donations via Just Giving and to have a successful on line auction.  The Mayor thanked all those who had supported her by making financial contributions, sewing scrubs or donating prizes. Over £40,000 had been raised for Thames Hospice and it had been her pleasure to present a cheque to their CEO the previous day. 

The Mayor also thanked her husband Ian and her family for all their support over the extended mayoralty and also the mayoral team for their support, friendship and guidance. They had been excellent.

Despite the sadness, illness and bereavement of 2020 there had been many positive stories as well and if there was a silver lining, it was the community spirit that had thrived. She hoped the good work would continue and that things would be a little brighter for everyone in 2021.

Councillor Hunt commented that the Mayor had stepped up at a difficult time and had been magnificent.  She had been invaluable in all her Mayoral duties and activities including raising the sum of £40,000, which had taken huge effort and hard work.

The Mayor invited nominations for the election of the Mayor of the Royal Borough for the remainder of the 2020/21 municipal year.

In proposing Councillor Story, Councillor Johnson commented that he would be a fine first citizen of the borough. It was not an easy time to take on the role; Councillor Luxton had conducted herself with absolute splendour during her term, in the most challenging time any Mayor had faced in the post-War period. Councillor Johnson had a high degree of confidence that Councillor Story would undertake the role with a high degree of aplomb and rigour. Every Mayor brought different qualities. Councillor Johnson explained that he had previously undertaken the role in a different authority. He could attest to what a wonderful experience it was both in being able to represent the borough on the regional and national stage and really engage with all parts of society.

In seconding the motion, Councillor Shelim explained that Councillor Story’s family had a long and close association with the Royal Borough. His wife, Barbara, was the Royal Borough's Local Studies Librarian, spending much of her time responding to residents' local history enquiries. She had first worked in Maidenhead Library just after it opened, and before Covid-19 she was, with one or two gaps in between, still working there, as well as in Windsor Library and in the museum in the Guildhall. Barbara was also very active in the local community and was Vice Chair of Sunninghill and Ascot Parish Council. Their son, Michael, was born in Windsor and was now a partner in a consultancy business. Councillor Story’s brother and his family had lived in Maidenhead, in Riverside, for many years and before that they lived in Sheet Street in Windsor.

It was moved by Councillor Johnson, seconded by Councillor Story and:

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That Councillor John Story be elected Mayor of the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead for the remainder of the 2020/21 Municipal Year.

The Managing Director declared Councillor Story duly elected Mayor.

Councillor Story made the Declaration of Acceptance of Office.

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THE MAYOR (COUNCILLOR STORY) IN THE CHAIR

In making his speech of acceptance, Councillor Story explained that he had a long and close association relationship with the Royal Borough and it was an honour and a privilege to be elected as Mayor. At the Annual Council meeting 18 months previously, he had nominated Councillor Luxton to be Mayor and he was very glad he had done so. He was enormously thankful for the work Councillor Luxton had undertaken and the enormous amount of money she had raised for charity. He thanked her for staying on for extra time due to the Covid-19 crisis. The Mayor also thanked Councillor Muir for the work he had undertaken as Deputy Mayor including fundraising for a number of charities.

The Mayor commented that the news of a vaccine was good but it would not make a difference for a while yet. He asked all to be mindful of the risks, especially over the holiday period. Until the crisis was over, taking personal responsibility was the best way an individual could protect both themselves and others.