For details of the order of proceedings please see page 7

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

In proposing Councillor Muir, Councillor Luxton explained that he was originally from Blackpool, but had been educated at Henley College, before becoming the youngest ever Area Manager for the Association of Retailers of America.  After that he spent a decade working in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.  He moved back from the Middle East in 1989 and started his own business, providing hygiene systems to large food manufacturers throughout the UK. He raised two sons, Christopher and Jonathan.

Councillor Muir was elected to the Royal Borough in a by-election in 2007. He had been the Deputy Mayor for 19 months and would again continue in that role.  He was a great guy to work with, very polite and always ready to step in when required.  She had enjoyed working with him and had a few good laughs. Councillor Muir had raised funds for a number of local charities.  He was the current Chairman of the Datchet Branch of the Royal British Legion.  In 2018 he campaigned and successfully relaunched the Windsor Branch which had been closed for many years. It was a proud moment when the Windsor Standard took centre stage at Remembrance Sunday in 2020. In his spare time he volunteered at his much loved Blue Acre Horse Rescue charity with fundraising and other support.

In seconding the motion, Councillor Rayner explained that Caron North had been the Deputy Mayoress since May 2019. Caron would be honoured and privileged to carry on this role supporting local communities and charitable good causes within The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead.

Caron was born and educated in Sheffield. After college in 1985 she moved to Old Windsor where she studied Equestrian Science and Husbandry. Caron’s life had been full of her passion for horses and the community. Caron had had several jobs where she had worked, trained and cared for horses. This had led to her driving horse-drawn carriages in Windsor 34 years ago where she met for the first time her now closest friend Bob Reagan. This was a turning point in her life and she then began working on Bob’s farm, driving HGV lorries. She bought her own horse and rescued many animals. In 2002 Caron and Bob founded The Blue Acre Horse Rescue. Caron had created a sanctuary where she gave 24-hour care to not just horses but chickens, ducks, goats and dogs.

Caron’s community dedication also included working with the Ways Into Work scheme helping disadvantaged young people. Many children and young adults visited the farm which gave them a much needed escape. Caron also worked part time at the Old Windsor Club. Caron was a truly remarkable lady who would be a fabulous ambassador for The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead.

It was moved by Councillor Luxton, seconded by Councillor Rayner, and:

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

(Councillors Baskerville and Walters did not take part in the vote)

The Managing Director declared Councillor Muir duly elected Deputy Mayor.

Councillor Muir made the Declaration of Acceptance of Office.