Council Meeting May 16th 2011 Your City Your Council

Council Meeting Monday 16th May

As usual with these reports they are by no means a full record of the meeting. The meeting lasted about 2 hours. All the mistakes are mine; if you would like a fuller report or have any queries please contact me.


The meeting this time was in two parts the first part being ceremonial; the second was a shorter version of normal council business.

New Mayor Paula Thacker

Keith Sharp outgoing Mayor

The new mayor was installed, Cllr Pauline Thacker  replacing the outgoing Mayor Keith Sharp. Cllr Sharp gave a moving and very funny speech about his year as Mayor. Cllr Sharp’s charities had been Diabetes UK and the fund for the new War Memorial. The charities have benefited by 10k each thanks to Cllr Sharp.

The new Mayor (referred to as Mr Mayor although she is a lady), said Cllr Sharp was a hard act to follow. The Mayors charities for 2011 – 2012 will be Help for Heroes and Find a cure for Alex.

New Deputy Mayor Cllr Lucia Serluca

Fletton Cllr Lucia Serluca was installed as deputy Mayor.


After a brief interval the business of council began. Cllr Cereste announced his new cabinet. Cllr Matthew Lee another of our local councillors remains as deputy leader.


New Stanground Cllr Chris Harper took his seat, while his wife watched from the wings.

After announcing the cabinet other parties had to opportunity to reply.

Cllr Sharp in his new role as leader of the Independents said the Independents would remain critical where they felt it necessary to be critical and would keep the controlling council’s policy under scrutiny.

Cllr Khan (leader of the Labour Cllr’s) welcomed his new Cllr, and noted the appointment of Cllr Peach as Neighbourhoods chair as Cllr Peach had previously stated he did not believe in the Neighbourhoods policy.

Cllr Sandford (Leader of the Lib Dems) Commented extensively on the new appointments. Why he queried did Peterborough need a full cabinet of 10, when Huntingdon had reduced the number by 3? He went on to question council spending including ‘Grandiose’ schemes such as the water taxis.

Cllr Cereste rose to reply saying his aims were to promote education growth and business.
Around now just as it was getting really jolly interesting  the meeting closed.

My thanks to all yet again who helped with our attendance at the meeting.

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