Council’s First Post-Lockdown Face-to-Face Meeting Greets New Mayor Moseley

Published on: 21 May, 2021
Updated on: 22 May, 2021

Marsha Moseley, Guildford’s new Mayor for the second time, she served before in 2010-2011, and her Deputy Dennis Booth

By Martin Giles

Guildford’s first post-lockdown borough council meeting was held on Wednesday in the Baptist Centre, which allowed more social distancing than in the GBC chamber, after the government decided not to extend the powers allowing online operation.

In another departure from tradition, the meeting combined routine business and the annual mayor-making, a ceremony normally performed in the 16th-century Guildhall on the High Street, with councillors and dignitaries fully gowned.

Cllr Richard Billington (Con, Tillingbourne) completed his two-year appointment, extended because of the pandemic, as Guildford’s Mayor. He handed over to the freshly elected Cllr Marsha Moseley (Con, Ash Vale). Cllr Dennis Booth (R4GV, Christchurch) was elected as her deputy.

The Hon Remembrancer Matthew Alexander read a summary of his report on the period of Cllr Billington’s reign and Mayor Moseley paid tribute to her colleague who underwent major brain surgery in the winter, wishing him well and hoping he could now properly convalesce. She announced her chosen charity as the Shooting Star Children’s Hospices. The Rev’d Canon Robert Cotton, celebrating 25 years as rector of Holy Trinity, is to be her chaplain.

Guildford’s departing Mayor Richard Billington who signed off after and extended period of service.

Cllr Billington thanked Mayor Moseley, who had served as his deputy, and all the councillors, staff and others who helped and encouraged him during his two year-term, especially during his illness.

The new mayor also welcomed the three new borough councillors, Keith Witham (Con, Pirbright), Cait Taylor (Lib Dem, Friary & St Nicolas), and Guida Esteves (GGG, Send) who won by-elections on May 6.

Updated procurement procedure rules were adopted and proposed revisions to the Councillors’ Code of Conduct regarding the acceptance of gifts were adopted to be implemented with immediate effect.

Elections were conducted for three important GBC committees. Cllr George Potter (Lib Dem, Burpham) was elected as the new chair of the Corporate Governance & Standards Committee, defeating Cllr Nigel Manning (Con, Ash Vale), Cllr Jan Harwood (Lib Dem, Merrow) is the chair of the Guildford Joint Committee (uncontested) and Cllr Brothwell (R4GV, Worplesdon) took the chair of Strategy & Resources Executive Advisory Board, defeating Cllr Angela Gunning (Lab, Stoke).

Other committee appointments remain unchanged.

Responses to Council’s First Post-Lockdown Face-to-Face Meeting Greets New Mayor Moseley

Jules Cranwell Reply

May 24, 2021 at 7:44 am

Does Guildford really want a mayor who has shown such contempt of residents?
David Roberts Reply

May 26, 2021 at 4:27 pm

There are many outstanding people in our borough. Hard-working, selfless, public-spirited people. Talented, high-achieving, intelligent people. Kind, witty, creative people. Brave, dedicated, self-sacrificing people. Loved, admired, envied people. Saintly people transfigured by faith and suffering. Exceptional, wise people of immense knowledge and experience. Enthusiastic, irrepressible people bursting with energy and fresh ideas. Wonderful, attractive and inspiring people.

And who do we get as Mayor?