Nottingham's new Lord Mayor and Sheriff have been selected for the next year, with an Asian woman to hold the latter role for the first time in history. Following Labour's landslide victory in the Nottingham City Council election on May 4, the authority held its first full meeting since the vote on Monday (May 22).
The first item on the agenda was selecting the new Lord Mayor and Sheriff of Nottingham, with both roles having one-year terms. The previous office holders, Wendy Smith as Lord Mayor and Nicola Heaton as Sheriff, were among 21 Nottingham Labour councillors who were not up for re-election in May.
For the role of Sheriff, the meeting unanimously selected Councillor Shuguftah Quddoos, who becomes the first Asian woman to hold the position. Councillor Quddoos was born to Pakistani parents in Manchester, moving to Nottingham as a student.
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Councillor Carole McCulloch was chosen as Nottingham's new lord mayor, having lived in Aspley for 29 years. Former Nottingham City Council leader, Graham Chapman, nominated her in a speech where he said that the two first met when they joined forces to oppose a lap dancing club in The Meadows.
Councillor David Mellen was officially chosen again to lead Nottingham City Council for the next four years, with Councillor Audra Wynter serving as his deputy. Portfolio holder positions were also confirmed, with Councillor Pavlos Kotsonis, who has been leading efforts to reopen Nottingham Castle, returning as the portfolio holder for leisure and culture.
New appointments to the executive included Councillor Steve Battlemuch, who previously challenged David Mellen for leadership of the council following the 2019 election. Councillor Adele Williams, who previously served as Nottingham City Council's deputy leader and portfolio holder for finance, now sits as a backbencher.
Monday's meeting was also the first one to be held in which Nottingham City Council has no Conservative members for the first time in history. Andrew Rule, previously the Tory group leader, now sits with the three Nottingham Independent councillors under a 'Nottingham Independent and Independents group'.
Councillor David Mellen said: "I am very pleased to return as the Leader of Nottingham City Council and look forward to working with the new Executive team of councillors. I’m sure the new Sheriff and Lord Mayor will serve Nottingham well. We intend to take on board all feedback we have received from local residents over the pre-election period so that we can ensure our council not only continues to deliver good services for the people of Nottingham, but also works hard to make improvements where needed.
"There is no doubt that the next year will continue to be challenging. However, I would like to begin this new electoral term with hope for the many new and exciting developments that will happen in Nottingham. As well as the castle reopening, this includes our flagship Central Library opening, ongoing improvements in the Broad Marsh area and neighbourhood improvements, including opening the new Sherwood Library and the completion of new council housing in Bestwood."
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