THURROCK Council's new leader, its cabinet and new mayor and deputy mayor were confirmed at the authority's annual meeting this evening (Wednesday, 21 May).

The new Mayor is Cllr Sue Shinnick, who will serve a second term in office after being mayor in the covid-affected civic year of 2021-22 when flooding and electrical failure in the former civic offices put the council chamber and the mayor's parlour out of action.

She becomes only the fourth mayor of the council to serve two terms 1974 Thurrock became a borough in 1974, which brought the entitlement to have a mayor.

She follows Sid Josling (1984/85 and 96/97) and Pat Rice in in 1976/77 and 1993/94. Terry Picollo served successive years due to the outbreak and impact of covid between 2019 and 21.

Cllr Shinnick recalled her first term as mayor during covid. She said: "The last time I was mayor was quite a horrendous time with no mayor's parlour and no mayor's chamber to hold meetings but I got through.

"My charity for the forthcoming year is a local charity based in Orsett. The MCA Trust provides support for children and teenagers with cancer."

Cllr Shinnick announced councillor Gary Watson, Labour councillor for South Chafford, as her consort and Rev Kate Carter, vicar at All Saints Chafford Hundred, as mayoral chaplain.

The new deputy mayor is Cllr Steve Liddiard who has served in that role – and as mayor's consort, several times - as well as being mayor himself in 2014/15.

Following the decision of the council's longest-serving member, Cllr John Kent, to stand down as mayor, Cllr Lynn Worrall, who first sat on the council in 2008, was elected to the £33,583 a year role. Her deputy is Cllr Lee Watson.

Cllr Kent, who said he had stood down after becoming 'jaded', said the council had made real progress in overcoming its financial problems but still faced a £900million debt.

He added: "I know that Lynn will be more focused than I was and will have a little more enthusiasm than I had and she will find no stronger supporter than I will be as she makes a success for the next three years until Thurrock no longer exists."

Sue Shinnick received the mayoral chains of office for the second time. Speaking in the council chamber she

Steve Liddiard, Labour councillor for Tilbury St Chads was elected as deputy mayor.

Outgoing mayor Kairen Raper, who raised funds for Thurrock Foodbank during her mayoral year said: "It's been an absolute honour to serve Thurrock as its first citizen and mayor. I'm proud to be a resident of Thurrock and have done my best to let others know just how good we are."

Thanking Thurrock's volunteers she added: "They don't look for thanks or even recognition but merely work to make the lives of others better and in so doing make Thurrock a better place."

A new Cabinet was also appointed. The cabinet has nine members, including the leader:

• Cllr Lynn Worrall – Leader of the Council and Transformation, Strategic Relationships, Reputation and Influence
• Cllr Lee Watson – Deputy Leader and Good Growth
• Cllr Valerie Morris-Cook – Finance and Resources
• Cllr Victoria Holloway – Place and Environment
• Cllr Vikki Hartstean – Children's Services, Education and Community Safety
• Cllr John Kent – Sustainability, Arts, Culture and Heritage
• Cllr Mark Hooper – Health and Wellbeing
• Cllr Mark Hurrell – Social Housing

In her first address as leader, Cllr Worrall emphasised the importance of staying connected to the community, saying: "We were all elected by the people of Thurrock.

"As leader, I'll make sure their voices are front and centre in everything we do.

"I will lead with focus, transparency, honesty and a clear commitment to putting residents at the heart of everything we do. That means clearer communication, stronger delivery, and genuine accountability."

She acknowledged the ongoing work to secure the Council's financial future, but said it was clear that Thurrock is more than its balance sheet.

"We've already achieved great things and I'm excited to build on that momentum with my new Cabinet. Together, we'll make Thurrock the best it can be."

New at the helm: Cllrs Sue Shinnick and Lynn Worrell.

Cllr Worrall has extended the number of people in her cabinet to nine, with first time portfolio holders being Cllrs Lynda Heath and Mark Hurrell.

Chadwell St Mary councillor Sara Muldowney has been dropped from the cabinet.

The roles of the cabinet members, who each receive an allowance of £11,994 on top of their basic allowance of £9,595 are:

Cllr Lynn Worrall - Transformation, Strategic Relationships, Reputation and Influence

Cllr Lee Watson - Good Growth

Cllr Valerie Morris-Cook - Finance and Resources

Cllr Victoria Holloway - Place and Environment

Cllr Vikki Hartstean - Children's Services, Education and Community Safety

Cllr John Kent - Sustainability, Arts, Culture and Heritage

Cllr Mark Hooper - Health and Wellbeing

Cllr Mark Hurrell - Social Housing

Cllr Lynda Heath - Public Protection and Constitutional Affairs

Cllr Worrall also announced the introduction of two 'deputy cabinet member' roles, saying: "They will not have voting rights or decision-making power but will play a meaningful role, supporting cabinet members on key priorities.

"Cllr Cici Manwa will support Cllr Harstean and Cllr Aaron Green will support Cllr Lee Watson."

It appears likely Cllrs Manwa and Green will get £5,997 each in addition to their basic allowance, meaning a total increase of £23,988 paid to Labour members at a time when the council is slashing frontline services.

Labour now have 19 out of 26 members receiving special responsibility allowances totalling £185,188. Conservatives have 12 members and seven draw special responsibility allowances totalling £52,773. Four out of five members of the Non-Political Alliance of Independent Councillors (NPAIC) draw a total of £21,589 in special allowances. One non-aligned independent member (out of three) will get £2,399 and the three Reform councillors have no responsibility entitlements.

The meeting saw a series of protest votes from the three Reform councillors (Cllrs Alex Anderson, Russell Cherry and Alan Benson), who opposed mayoral and senior cabinet posts. They also put forward nominations for six positions as chair of committees but were heavily defeated in all of them.

At the council meeting it was agreed to split the existing People overview and scrutiny committee into two commitees, one dealing with children and the other adult social care. New chairs for scrutiny commitees will be Cllr Roy Jones (NPAIC) on Place, Cllr James Halden (Con) on Children's Services, Cllr Liz Rigby (Con) on Adult and Health Services, while Cllr Ben Maney (Con) remains chair of Corporate Services.

The full council meeting can be viewed here.