Green Councillor Maria Cleminson has today been elected as the Mayor of Cambridge. 

A long-standing Abbey resident, Cllr Cleminson volunteers with Citizens Advice and local community groups and is also actively involved in local heritage and biodiversity projects. Liberal Democrat Councillor Amanda Taylor was elected as Deputy Mayor. 

Thanks were offered to outgoing Mayor Cllr Dinah Pounds and Deputy Mayor, Cllr Richard Swift for their commitment to supporting community organisations and civic events over the last year.

Three former councillors, Richard Robertson, Anna Smith and Baiju Thittala, were all appointed as Honorary Councillors in recognition of their long service for the council. A ceremonial title, Honorary Councillors are entitled to various privileges including to join the Mayor at certain civic events but do not have voting rights.

The Council was unable to elect a Leader. The only candidate put forward for the role of Leader was Cllr Katie Thornburrow, but the nomination was not passed by Council. As a result, the Annual Council Meeting was adjourned and will reconvene on Monday 1 June.

The appointment of a Leader is a legal requirement and necessary to enable the appointment of a Cabinet and the Chairs, Vice Chairs and members of other committees.