At the Annual Council Meeting on Monday 19th May, Broadstairs and St Peter’s Town Council councillors elected Cllr Mike Garner to serve as Town Mayor and Chairman of the Council for a second year.
In accepting the role, Cllr Garner reflected on the term he has just completed and said, “This Mayoral year I have represented the people of Broadstairs and St Peter’s at more than 100 events and it has been an honour. I’d like to thank all councillors and council officers for their support. I’d also like to thank all the wonderful volunteers and community groups for all they’ve done as well as Rev Matt Hodder for acting as Mayoral Chaplain and of course my wife, Carole.”
“I would also like to welcome Cllr George Rusiecki as Deputy Mayor and Dr Sarah Kemp as Deputy Mayoress for the Civic Year 2025/2026.”
“I’m pleased to have been able to support my Mayoral Charity, 21 Together, throughout the year, raising £900 for them at a Charity Quiz and a Mayor’s Charity gig, both events held at the Sarah Thorne Theatre. The charity has also received £2,000 from my Mayoral Allowance.”
The Mayor’s Charity Gig raised £550 for Pie Factory Music and I am pleased to have been able to give the following grants from my Mayoral Allowance:-
- £1,000 for Inspirational Creative
- £1,000 for Thanet Wanderers SEND Tour
- £630 for Tasty Planters
“I am honoured to have been re-elected as Chair of the Council and Mayor of the town for another year. Thank you. I will endeavour to make sure that I continue to do what’s best for the town above all else while in the role, and a priority will be to work with all councillors and all our fantastic community groups to make Broadstairs & St Peter’s a Cleaner, Safer and Kinder place for us all to live and to visit.”
Cllr Garner’s first duty in the role was to present various awards to local people who have made a great contribution to the community over the past year.
The Millenium Cup which is awarded to people who, in the opinion of the Town Council, have made a significant contribution to promoting Broadstairs and St Peter’s and/or the well-being of the local community was presented to Zoe and Peter Hammond for their work with Inspiration Creative.
The Mayoress Cup which is awarded to an organisation which, in the opinion of the Town Council, has made a significant contribution to promoting Broadstairs and St Peter’s and/or the well-being of the local community was presented to The Gap Project.
Kent Association of Local Councils awards were presented to Kerry Millet for inspiring and delivering positive social change through a wide range of innovative and exciting community projects and to Thanet Wanderers SEND section, an inspiring programme which works to include young people in a team sport, foster friendships on tour and fully integrate young people with SEND into the life of the club.
Ends.
