The Green Party councillor for Loughborough Junction and Herne Hill has just been elected as the new Mayor of Lambeth at the first Full Council Meeting following the historic local elections that saw Labour slip from power for the first time in two decades.
Cllr Valentine thanked all present in the chamber in his opening words and took great pain to say that as the first Green Mayor and citizen of the borough, he represents and will represent everyone, regardless of political affiliation; Green, Labour, Lib Dem alike.
Cllr Paul Valentine takes up the Mayoralty of the borough.
The next item on the agenda is to propose, second and vote on Cllr Judy Best as Deputy Mayor, before hearing the outgoing Mayor’s report, and Adrian Garden returns to warm applause in the chamber.
Each political group present in the meeting gave speeches of appreciation on the outgoing Cllr Mayor Garden, with Cllr Martin Abrams wishing Adrian all the best for the future on behalf of the Green group.
With formalities complete, a series of motions were put forward by Cllr Simon Cordon to suspend all business in order to put forward the expected proposal to hold the an Extraordinary Meeting on 1 June where the governance of the borough will move from a Cabinet system to a Committee structure.
Labour’s Verity McGivern has objected on the grounds that Labour have not been given advance sight of the motion (they obviously don’t read Brixton Buzz).
The meeting has been adjourned for Labour councillors to read the motion, and last week’s news.
Our new Mayor will be keen to wrap up business, get to the pub and watch the Palace game. There are a few Palace tops dotted about the room.
Related
