Kingston’s new Mayor to champion volunteering and the natural environment

First moving to Surbiton in 1998, Councillor Green has lived in the borough and been a councillor for over 20 years. She has represented St Mark’s ward (now St Mark’s and Seething Wells) for the duration of her time as a council member and has held many positions in her career. These include Leader of the Council (2013 - 2014 and 2018-2020), Deputy Leader and Leader of the Opposition. She has also most recently been Chair of Audit, Governance and Standards and Chair of the Planning Committee. 

Alongside her, Councillor Elizabeth Park was appointed Deputy Mayor. It will be the first time the Mayoral team will have a Korean representative, recognising the massive contribution our local Korean residents make to our Royal Borough.

The new Mayor has chosen to support local charity Habitats & Heritage for her Mayoral year. Habitats & Heritage works to protect the natural and historic environment in south and west London. The charity currently chairs the Kingston Biodiversity Partnership working closely with the council and other partners to conserve and create natural habitats. The organisation also offers advice and support to Kingston’s Friends of Parks groups and supports conservation workdays through Kingston’s youth volunteer programme.

The Mayor has chosen this cause to promote the importance and benefits that volunteering can bring. Volunteering can reduce isolation, improve mental and physical wellbeing, promote social inclusion, provide work experience and enhance confidence and self-esteem.

Commenting on her charity and mayoral year, Councillor Green said: 

We have some fantastic groups of people volunteering to improve our parks,open spaces  and heritage. I want to celebrate the work they do and encourage more to take part or start their own groups.

I want my Mayoral year to not just be about fundraising and attending events, but also to actively celebrate together with our wonderful residents and volunteers. I'm hoping to reach out to new people and groups that don't usually think to speak to the Mayor, but want to celebrate their successes with us.

Information and details on the Mayor’s first fundraising event, a treasure hunt from Queens Prom to Canbury Gardens on 6th July, will be added to the website soon. If you'd like to invite the Mayor to a celebration or volunteering event please get in contact via the Mayoral web pages. 

Annual Council also noted the appointment of the administration's new portfolio holders:

• Leader and Portfolio Holder for Heritage and Culture - Andreas Kirsch
• Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Communities, Leisure and Economic Development - Alison Holt
• Portfolio Holder for Finance, Assets and Governance - Richard Thorpe
• Portfolio Holder for Commissioning, Customer Contact and Equalities -  Afy Afilaka
• Portfolio Holder for Housing - Emily Davey
• Portfolio Holder for Climate Action, Biodiversity and Planning Policy - Ian Manders
• Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Transport and Waste and Recycling -  Nicola Nardellil 
• Portfolio Holder for Adult Social Care and Public Health - Sabah Hamed
• Portfolio Holder for Children’s services including Education - Diane White 

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