THE mayor of the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead was officially sworn in for the 2021/22 municipal year.

Councillor John Story (Con: Ascot & Sunninghill) was re-elected as mayor during the council’s last virtual meeting at an annual general meeting on Tuesday, May 4.

The annual meeting was pulled forward this year in the event ministers refused to extend rule changes which allowed virtual meetings to take place remotely.

Cllr Story was meant to be sworn for the 2020/21 municipal year last May but was delayed until December due to Covid-19.

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At the May 2021 meeting, Cllr Story was nominated by councillor Stuart Carroll (Con: Boyn Hill), who believed he will bring ‘exceptional qualities’ and ‘first class’ knowledge of the council’s constitution and procedures to the role.

In his acceptance speech, Cllr Story said: “Chairing council meetings is, of course, one part of a mayor’s job and I’m always mindful when chairing a council meeting that our constitution makes it very clear that the overriding aim of the meeting, what we’re trying to achieve above all else, is to promote confidence in the council by the public.

“That’s why I particularly welcome members of the public at council meetings whether it’s presenting a petition or asking cabinet members questions or even just showing an interest by watching it on Youtube.

“I am trying to make the meetings a bit easier to understand and follow by explaining things as we go along and also when I can, being flexible on time limits when we’re considering matters which I know are a great public interest.

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“By doing this, I’m hoping the meetings will gradually be more public friendly.

“After all, the one thing we all have in common is that we want our residents and businesses to be proud be of and say good things about their council.”

Councillor Gary Muir (Con: Datchet, Horton & Wraysbury) was re-elected as deputy mayor at the meeting.