For details of the Order of Proceedings please see page 7

The Mayor, Councillor Lenton, welcomed everyone to the Annual Meeting and gave a brief résumé of his year in office. Councillor Lenton commented that last year’s Annual Meeting had been held in shadow of the Manchester arena terror attack and shortly after the terrible Grenfell fire.  However, he explained by contrast this year’s Mayor making was taking place immediately after the spectacular wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in Windsor, one of the largest and happiest events to take place in the Borough.  Councillor Lenton congratulated all those people and organisations that had worked so hard to make that event such a success, in particular the Council’s employees and volunteers. 

Councillor Lenton paid tribute to the Mayoress who had accompanied and supported him on almost all his Mayoral engagements and in many cases had contributed to them, especially where school and cultural activities had been involved.  He explained that they had made countless visits to organisations and charities who served local residents, were always made welcome wherever they went and was delighted that members from a number of those organisation were present at the meeting.

He also paid tribute to the many volunteers who gave up their time to support the many organisations working within the borough and was pleased to see so many young people taking part in community activities, particularly at a time when young people were so often criticised. 

He advised that throughout the year they had been able to support the Council’s twinning links by visiting Goslar and Bad Godesburg and had received visitors from St Cloud.  Unfortunately, the visit to Goslar in December had been slightly spoilt by the closure of Heathrow airport after they had started their return journey.

He thanked the officers that had supported both himself and the Mayoress in their roles throughout the year, thanked the Leader of the Council and his fellow Councillors for their support and thanked all the employees of the Royal Borough who made Windsor and Maidenhead such a pleasant and happy place in which to work and live. 

In conclusion, to mark the 100^th anniversary of the Royal Air Force, Councillor Lenton presented trophies to Cadet Flight Sergeant Jade Preece from 155 ATC (Maidenhead), for the work she had done over the last 12 months running the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme for the unit and carrying out training for the cadets, and Cadet Sergeant Joseph Patmore from 459 (Windsor) Squadron, who had been chosen as the leading cadet from his unit for the year.

THE MAYOR INVITED NOMINATIONS FOR THE ELECTION OF THE MAYOR OF THE ROYAL BOROUGH FOR 2018/2019.

In proposing Councillor Paul Lion for the role of Mayor, Councillor Quick commented that the Mayor, as First Citizen of the Borough, was the public face of the Council and was an ambassador both inside and outside of the Borough.  She explained that nothing could really prepare a person for the role of Mayor as every year was different and every year was special because of the people the Mayor would meet. However, she advised that, speaking from experience, Councillor Lion was the right man for the role.

Councillor Quick explained that Councillor Lion was not only a Maidenhead Councillor but a Maidonian through and through having been born in Grenfell Road in 1960 into a well-established local business family.  Councillor Lion had attended local schools and had trained as a chef at the highly regarded Slough catering College.

Councillor Quick advised that Councillor Lion had been introduced to rowing by his father and had acted as a cox at Maidenhead Rowing Club from the age of nine.  She explained that Councillor Lion had participated in both national and international rowing events, and in 1977 won Gold for England in the Junior Single Skulls at the Silver Jubilee Regatta, Serpentine Home Counties Regatta, in 1978 was the National Champion of Great Britain at Holme Pierrepoint single sculls and had represented Great Britain in the Junior Single Sculls at the National Championships. She stated that such dedication and self-sacrifice was a mark of Councillor Lion’s character, which would serve him well for the year ahead.  She also commented upon Councillor Lion’s appointment as President of the Maidenhead Rowing Club in 2013 a position of which he was rightly proud. 

Councillor Quick explained that Councillor Lion met his wife Laura in the romantic setting of the weight training room at the Magnet  Leisure Centre and they have been pulling together ever since.

Councillor Quick commented upon Councillor Lion’s career and explained that he had worked in the family business John Lion Construction and Elva Lodge Hotel, where he had been the Hotel Chef and landlord for 30 years.  The family had employed many locals over a sixty five year period thereby supporting Maidenhead’s local economy.

Councillor Quick commented upon Councillor Lion’s political career, advising that he first became involved with politics as an anti-road hump campaigner.  As an elected councillor he had served on the Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Panel and Highways and Transport Overview and Scrutiny Panel. She also advised that he had served as a school governor at Altwood Secondary School and was a volunteer cleaner at St Luke’s Church.  She commented that Councillor Lion had been a great supporter of civic events, which would stand him in good stead for the Mayoralty. 

In conclusion, Councillor Quick commented that Councillor Lion, who would be ably supported by his wife Laura, would uphold the long and proud tradition of the Mayoralty and therefore she was delighted to propose him as Mayor for the next municipal year.

In seconding the motion, Councillor Carroll advised that he had known Councillor Lion since 2009 and since then has had a long standing friendship and fellow Ward Councillor companionship, representing the Boyn Hill Ward together, which Councillor Lion often referred to as the best Ward in the Royal Borough.  He advised that Councillor Lion was the inspiration for him getting involved in local politics and had encouraged him to stand as a local Councillor.

Councillor Carroll reiterated that Councillor Lion would be ably supported by his wife Laura and he had viewed at first had the strong partnership that Councillor Lion and his wife Laura enjoyed, a marriage that was built on respect, love and complimenting each another.  He advised that Councillor Lion and Laura had two children Benjamin, a commercial pilot, and Katy, an International Business Woman for SAP, both of whom were a credit to their parents. 

He explained that following her graduation from Oxford Brooks University, Laura had worked in the City running the Midland Bank Directors’ restaurant before co-running the local family business.  He advised that Laura would make an ideal Mayoress as she was a very positive, hospitable and community spirited person.

In conclusion, Councillor Carroll stated that Councillor Lion was a community man and loved the area with a passion and would not only do the Borough proud as Mayor but would, with his inherently friendly and dynamically optimistic approach, give his all to the Mayoral Role.

It was moved by Councillor Quick, seconded by Councillor Carroll and:

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That Councillor Paul Lion be elected Mayor of the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead for the ensuing Municipal Year.

The Managing Director declared Councillor Lion duly elected Mayor.  Councillor Lion made the Declaration of Acceptance of Office, witnessed by Councillors Quick and Carroll.

THE MAYOR (COUNCILLOR LION) IN THE CHAIR

Councillor Lenton presented the Mayor with the Mace, the Borough seal and the keys to the Mayor’s Parlour.

In making his speech of acceptance, Councillor Lion thanked Councillors Quick and Carroll for their kind words and expressed gratitude to his fellow Councillors for electing him Mayor of the Royal Borough.  Councillor Lion paid tribute to the former Mayor and Mayoress, Councillor John Lenton and Mrs Margaret Lenton, who had worked tirelessly throughout the previous year. 

Councillor Lion advised that he would be supporting the Royal British Legion and the Royal National Life Boat Institution during the mayoral year and commented that he was looking forward to meeting many of the voluntary organisation operating within the Royal Borough.  He stated that Windsor had recently been in the limelight but explained that it was also going to be an important year for Maidenhead in the light of all the redevelopment that was taking place.

In conclusion, he expressed his appreciation to members of his family and his many friends for their support and thanked the Rev Will Stileman for his spiritual support.

The Mayor presented Councillor Lenton and Mrs Margaret Lenton with their Past Mayor's and Past Mayoress’ badges.