The Council meeting on Thursday, 12 June 2014, saw the election of a new Mayor and the appointment of the Leader of the Council. Councillor Felicity Banks and Councillor Mrs Tania Solomon were thanked for their service as the retiring Mayor and Deputy Mayor respectively.

Election of Mayor and Deputy Mayor

Councillor Ashley Stephen Kissin was elected Mayor of the Borough for the year 2014/2015. He subsequently appointed Mrs Hilary Kissin as his Mayoress and Councillor Linda A. Huggett as his Deputy Mayor. The Mayor's Chaplain for the year will be Rabbi Alex Chapper.

Votes of Thanks

The council unanimously passed a resolution expressing sincere thanks to Councillor Felicity Banks for her service as the forty-ninth Mayor of the Borough during the municipal year 2013-2014. Miss Sheila Banks, the retiring Mayoress, was also cordially associated with this expression of appreciation. Councillor Banks was to be presented with an illuminated copy of the resolution, a replica of the Mayor's Insignia of Office, and Miss Sheila was to receive a brooch bearing the Borough Coat of Arms.

Similarly, Councillor Mrs Tania Solomon was thanked for her outstanding service as Deputy Mayor in the municipal year 2013-2014, and was to be presented with a commemorative certificate. Her consort, Mr David Solomon, was also recognised for his service with a certificate.

Appointment of Leader of the Council

Councillor Jas Athwal was appointed as the Leader of the Council for the years 2014-2018. This appointment follows the requirements of Section 9I of the Local Government Act 2000¹ and Part 3, Section 1, paragraph 13 of the Council's Constitution, which mandates the election of a Leader at the first annual meeting following local elections. The Leader holds office for a four-year term, or until they resign, cease to be a councillor, are disqualified, or are removed by a Council resolution. The Leader is responsible for determining the number of Cabinet Members (between two and nine, in addition to the Leader) and appointing them, as well as defining the terms of reference for Cabinet portfolios.

Mayor's Announcements

The Mayor announced that the Civic Service would take place on Sunday, 27th July, at the Ilford Federation Synagogue in Beehive Lane. He also stated that the Mayor's Appeal for the year would support the Royal British Legion.

Members' Attendances

A record of Members' attendances for the Municipal Year 2013/14 was presented, detailing attendance at Council, Cabinet, Committee/Sub-committee meetings, and Panels, Groups & Working Groups etc.