New mayor Cllr Barbara White elected at Redbridge annual council meeting
The new mayor of Redbridge Cllr Barbara White with Rev Gary Newman, left, deputy mayoress Ranji Jeyaranjan and deputy mayor Cllr Thavathuray Jeyaranjan, right. - Credit: Archant
A new mayor has been elected in Redbridge.
Cllr Barbara White, who has represented Goodmayes ward for the past five years, was officially chosen as the borough’s first citizen at Redbridge Council’s annual general meeting last night (Thursday).
Cllr Jas Athwal, council leader, nominated Cllr White for the role.
He said: “It’s a fantastic privilege for me to be able to stand here and nominate somebody who I call a friend, somebody who I confide in, somebody who gives so much to the local community.
“Cllr White is a local activist first – you can’t keep her out.”
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Ward colleague Cllr Bert Jones (Lab, Goodmayes) said she had been a “fantastic servant” to Redbridge for many years.
“[Cllr White] richly deserves this honour of becoming mayor – her political achievements speak for themselves.
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“As a person, as a long-standing colleague, one of the things that has impressed me most are her strong principles.
“I’m confident she will be an excellent mayor.”
Cllr White’s consort was announced as her husband, Frank White, by outgoing mayor Cllr Ashley Kissin.
Cllr Thavathuray Jeyaranjan (Lab, Newbury) was also elected as deputy mayor, with wife Ranji becoming deputy mayoress.
The new mayor announced her charities for the year, which will be Guide Dogs for the Blind, PDSA, Redbridge Faith Forum, Carers Trust, Redbridge Equalities and Communities Council, Citizens Advice Bureau and Hopes and Dreams.
“There are so many wonderful charities that it was a difficult choice,” she told the meeting.
“I wanted to include less fashionable charities that really struggle but do so much for the people of Redbridge.”
