Exeter's new lord mayor named

Lib Dem Kevin Mitchell "emotional" about honour

Long-serving councillor Kevin Mitchell will become Exeter’s new lord mayor later in the year.

The Liberal Democrat member for Duryard & St James will take over the politically neutral, ceremonial role in May, after being officially nominated at an executive meeting on Wednesday [28 February].

Cllr Mitchell, who has been on the council for almost 20 years and served as deputy in 2008/09 and 2011/12, says it will be a “great honour.”

He told the meeting: “As everyone knows, I was born in this city, so it’s my home. I’m very proud of the city of Exeter, so it will be quite an emotional night when I do become lord mayor.

“I promise you all that I will serve as lord mayor with dignity. And it’s amazing that it’s going to be the 75th anniversary of the NHS being founded during my year as well, so as a nurse I can assure you I will ensure that the excellent work that occurs within the NHS will be very much part of the mayoral year.”

Cllr Kevin Mitchell is to become Exeter's lord mayor

The role of lord mayor alternates between political parties each year. Council leader Phil Bialyk (Labour, Exwick) told Cllr Mitchell his nomination was “well deserved” and added: “We all know you’ll do very well.”

Conservative councillor Yolonda Henson has been lord mayor since last May, a year in which the city mourned the death of Queen Elizabeth II and marked the accession of King Charles III.

Cllr Tess Read (Green, St David’s) will be the city’s new deputy lord mayor. She was first elected to the city council last year.