Plymouth gets new lord mayor

Mark Shayer joined the council in 2021

Councillor Mark Shayer is Plymouth’s new lord mayor.

The Conservative member for Budshead ward was elected to the politically-neutral, ceremonial role at the council’s annual meeting on Friday [19 May].

Cllr Shayer, who was first elected to the council in 2021, had been its interim leader until this month’s local elections following the resignation of former leader Richard Bingley in the wake of the Armada Way tree-felling controversy.

He previously served on three ships for the Royal Navy before joining the submarine service, where he worked as an engineer over the course of nearly 25 years.

After leaving the Navy, he worked at Devonport Royal Dockyard as a project manager, retiring in 2020.

Accepting the role, Cllr Shayer said: “I cannot tell you, nor explain, how proud I feel to be offered this position.

“Thank you to all those that have faith in me to be the lord mayor to represent Plymouth and Plymothians. I will do my very best not to let you down.”

Proposing the new lord mayor, Cllr Andy Lugger (Conservative, Southway) told the annual meeting: “Although it is somewhat a brief period of time I’ve known Mark, I’ve found him to be a man of infinite wit and integrity.

“He is dedicated and 100 per cent trustworthy; the sort of person who will serve the city of Plymouth well as lord mayor.”

Meanwhile, Cllr Kathy Watkin (Conservative, Plymstock Radstock) is the city’s new deputy lord mayor, which she has called “a privilege and an honour.”

In a statement, Cllr Watkin added: “I have loved Plymouth since first visiting as a child and feel that the people have a strong sense of community spirit. I am looking forward to meeting people from organisations and charities as well attending civic events during the next year.”