THERE will be a ‘changing of the chain’ today when Coun Kevin Maton begins his term of office as the new Lord Mayor of Coventry.
Coun Maton takes over from Coun John McNicholas at the ceremony during the Annual General Meeting at Coventry Cathedral.
Coun Jaswant Singh Birdi will be named as his Deputy for the next year.
Coun Maton represented Whoberley for 16 years after first being elected to the council in 1987, but since 2006 he has represented Henley Ward.
He has served as Cabinet Member for Education, Social Services and Economic Development, Jobs and Planning, and Chair of the Planning Committee.
He has named the Coventry Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre (CRASAC) the Coventry Refugee and Migrant Centre, and the Alzheimer’s Society as his chosen charities.
Coun Maton said: “I am so proud to be named Lord Mayor of my home city.
“I have been honoured to represent the people of Coventry, and to serve alongside councillors past and present.
“The last 12 months have been a great time for Coventry, with our role as UK City of Culture and the first green shoots of recovery from the Covid pandemic.
“I have been delighted to be a part of a year that challenged and changed our city.
“Now though, we have a different challenge as we start to build a legacy from those days and I look forward to supporting that work in my year as Lord Mayor.”
People can donate to the incoming Lord Mayor’s chosen charities by clicking here or by sending a cheque payable to ‘Lord Mayor’s Charity Appeal’ to The Lord Mayor’s Office.
