For details of the Order of Proceedings please see page 7

In proposing Councillor John Lenton for the position of Deputy Mayor, Councillor Dudley advised that Councillor Lenton had been educated at Bournemouth School and the London School of Economics and had started work as an economist and management consultant before moving into financial consultancy, setting up Avocet Finance Limited which specialised in niche areas of Equipment Finance.

Councillor Dudley stated that Councillor Lenton had been active in politics since he joined the Young Conservatives and had been Chairman of the Birmingham Bow group, a member of various national policy committees and, after moving to Derby, chaired the Belper Conservative Association.

Since his election in 2007, Councillor Lenton had been Chairman of the Royal County of Berkshire Pension Fund, which was administered by the Royal Borough on behalf of the 6 Berkshire unitary authority councils and 150 other public sector bodies.  Under his stewardship the Fund had become recognised as a prestige fund, winning at least 7 national and international awards and had been the first Local Government Fund to arrange longevity insurance.

Councillor Lenton had been a valuable and dedicated member of the Council’s administration since 2007 and had been Vice Chairman of the Windsor Rural Development Control Panel for 3 years, a Director of Windsor Housing, a member of the Adult Services and Health Overview and Scrutiny Panel and a member of the Berkshire Fire Authority and Vice Chairman of two of its four sub-committees.  In particular, Councillor Lenton was Chairman of the Aviation Forum and had led the campaign against the proposed third Heathrow Runway option, which would devastate Wraysbury and nearby surrounding villages.

Councillor Dudley commented that Councillor Lenton had been married to Margaret for 47 years, had lived in Wraysbury for 27 years and had one son, Philip, who was a chartered accountant and Director at Deloitte and past President of the Windsor and St. George Rotary. Councillor Dudley explained that both Councillor Lenton and Margaret had worked tirelessly with the National Magna Carta 800 committee in developing local and national commemoration events.

Councillor Dudley stated that Councillor Lenton and Margaret were looking forward to supporting residents of all ages, businesses and charities in the Royal Borough.  In particular they would support the many invaluable voluntary organisations that help so many of the residents of our Royal Borough.  

In conclusion, Councillor Dudley explained that Councillor Lenton had previously been an excellent Deputy Mayor and no doubt would be again.  It therefore was a privilege and honour to propose Councillor John Lenton as Deputy Mayor of the Royal Borough for the ensuing Municipal Year.

In seconding the motion, Councillor Coppinger announced that Councillor Lenton would be ably assisted by his wife Margaret.  He advised that Margaret had been the principal of Slough Grammar School for 22 years and in that time the school had received two outstanding Ofsted inspections. 

Councillor Coppinger stated that Margaret was currently Chairman of Wraysbury Parish Council and was a member of the Horton and Wraysbury Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group.  He advised that Margaret had driven the celebrations for the 800^th anniversary of the signing of the Magna Carta and had been responsible for the organisation of the Queen’s 90^th birthday celebrations in the village.  Councillor Coppinger also commented that Margaret also found time to be a Governor of 3 schools and was currently the Chairman of the charity True Honour, which was founded by Sarbjit Athwal and provided support to victims of honour based violence and forced marriage.

Councillor Coppinger also praised Margaret for the work she had done to assist the residents of Horton and Wraysbury when the area suffered from flooding in 2014, making particular mention to her televised scolding of the then Leader of the Labour Party, Ed Miliband MP, who she had claimed was in the area more as a photo opportunity rather to provide practical help to residents.

It was moved by Councillor Dudley, seconded by Councillor Coppinger, and:

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY:That Councillor John Lenton be appointed Deputy Mayor of the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead for the ensuing Municipal Year.

The Managing Director declared Councillor John Lenton duly appointed Deputy Mayor. Councillor John Lenton made the Declaration of Acceptance of Office, witnessed by Councillors Dudley and Coppinger.

In his speech of acceptance, the Deputy Mayor stated that he was honoured to have been appointed Deputy Mayor for the Royal Borough and, together with the Deputy Mayoress, were looking forward to fulfilling their duties and would do their best to live up the high standards set by their predecessors. 

He thanked Councillors Dudley and Coppinger for their kind words and support and congratulated Councillor Sayonara Luxton on her appointment as Mayor of the Royal Borough.  He commented upon the various towns and villages within the Royal Borough and stated that, as Deputy Mayor, he was looking forward to serving the residents of the borough and meeting the many voluntary organisations that provide an invaluable service within the borough.

Councillor Lenton then presented Councillor Luxton and her husband Ian with their past Deputy Mayor's and past Deputy Mayor’s Consort badges.