Welcoming a new Mayor, support available during half-term and taking our voice to City Hall

This week marked an important milestone in the Council’s calendar as we elected the new Mayor of Sutton at our Annual Council meeting. 

The role of the Mayor is really important. For a Mayoral term which usually lasts one year, the Mayor is the first citizen of the borough. It is a non-political role where they represent Sutton at civic and community events, as well as making sure our council meetings run smoothly and fairly. They also celebrate and champion our wonderful community and voluntary groups, our businesses and the people of Sutton. 

On Monday, Councillor Colin Stears was elected as our new Mayor. Colin is a life-long resident of Sutton, having been born in St Helier Hospital. His connections to the borough go all the way back to 1916 when his family first came to our borough. 

Colin has chosen Councillor Louise Phelan as his Deputy Mayor. Louise was newly elected back in May 2022. She has a young family and has lived and worked in Sutton for over 25 years. I wish Colin and Louise a very successful year as Mayor and Deputy. Learn more about Colin and Louise, their roles and how to invite them along to one of your events via this page on our website. 

As we head into the May half term, I’m proud that we continue our commitment to make sure no child goes hungry over the holidays via our food voucher scheme. Families with children receiving benefits-related free school meals will receive a food voucher from their child’s school today to use throughout half-term. You can find out more about the scheme and whether you are eligible via this page on our website.  

We are also lucky in Sutton to have so many fantastic heritage houses that offer amazing family events during the holidays. If you haven't had the opportunity to see what events will be taking place this half-term, please visit the Council’s Eventbrite page. 

Finally, this coming Monday (29th May), will mark three months until the Mayor of London’s Ultra Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ) will be implemented across outer London. I am reminded of the stories I heard at our Council meeting back in April where residents spoke passionately about the devastating impact ULEZ will have on their lives. 

Now, more than ever, it is important that the Mayor of London hears the strength of feeling against the scheme. If you have yet to do so, please sign or share our Council petition, and help us to tell the Mayor why his ULEZ scheme doesn't work for us here in Sutton. We need better access to public transport, we need a better scrappage scheme and - most of all during a cost of living crisis - now is not the time to be introducing such a scheme that will impact the most vulnerable in our borough the hardest.

We need to speak with one voice and we will be taking that voice to City Hall soon.

Councillor Ruth Dombey
Leader of the Council