The City’s annual Mayor Making Ceremony has taken place and Councillor June Player was formally appointed, taking on the historic role as the 794th Mayor of Bath.
For a second year, the event has been held virtually due to lockdown restrictions. A link to the recorded proceedings has been uploaded to YouTube: https://youtu.be/LkSWVODajec.
In her acceptance speech, Councillor Player said “I really am delighted and honoured to be the 794th Mayor of Bath, and its 19th female one, and I pledge to be worthy of this role.
I have always been a community-minded person and my long-term motto of ‘Keeping it Clean, Green & Friendly – Promoting Pride in our Community’ has now become even more relevant than ever, and that is to be my theme for this Mayoral year. It does so very much sum up what I stand for, feel passionate about, and what motivates me.”
The new Mayor acknowledged the sterling job done by her predecessor, Councillor Manda Rigby, in keeping the Mayoralty relevant in such difficult times.
Councillor Player made history in 2011 by becoming Bath & North East Somerset Council’s first elected Independent Councillor. She represented Westmoreland Ward and was re-elected in 2015 and again in 2019. She served as Deputy Mayor of the City of Bath in 2016. The Mayor’s daughter,
Mrs Chloe Ovens is Mayoress for her term in Office.
Councillor Dr Yukteshwar Kumar has been appointed as Deputy Mayor. He is the first non-white person to take this role. He was elected onto Bath & North East Somerset Council in 2019, the first person to be from an Indian descent, and represents Bathwick Ward as a Liberal Democrat. He is Course Director of Chinese Stream at the University of Bath. His wife, Mrs Taniya Deb, is his Deputy Mayoress.
The Mayoralty is separate to Bath & North East Somerset Council and the roles of Mayor and Deputy Mayor are non-political. Only Bath Ward Councillors can become Mayor or Deputy Mayor of the City of Bath.
Due to the social distancing measures in place, physical Mayoral engagements are currently limited to within restrictions. However, the Mayoralty and local organisations are finding new ways to engage with the community by virtual means, or at ad hoc events in the open air.
Any organisations who wish to invite the Mayor to a virtual or other event are asked to email mayorofbath@bathnes.gov.uk with details. For further information about the Mayor and Charter Trustees of the City of Bath: www.mayorofbath.co.uk Twitter: @MayorBath.
