The new Mayor of Merton has dedicated her year in office to promoting and developing the arts in the borough.

Councillor Gill Manly was elected as Mayor for the 2023/24 municipal year by the Council tonight (17 May).

Councillor Manly said: “I am so grateful to become the Mayor of Merton, this is a proud moment for me and I’m excited to get started in my duty to the residents of Merton.” 

“Art is something that I’m extremely passionate about and I want to use my time as Mayor to promote collaboration between all the talented people in the borough. I want to see them build a network of like-minded artistic and creative people to provide classes, workshops, and performances”.

“This is why I have dedicated my mayoralty to the arts as I want to do all I can to help empower people of all ages to realise their full potential and encourage our residents to engage with them. There are so many fantastic businesses and entrepreneurs in our community, and I would love to see them put on more events to promote diversity of entertainment.”

In support of her theme of ‘promoting and developing the arts in the borough’, Councillor Manly has chosen the Merton Music Foundation whose core objective is to advance musical education within the framework of the arts for the benefit of the public in Merton and elsewhere. Her second charity is the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, which is a research facility dedicated to finding a cure for all types of brain tumours through campaigning.

Councillor Manly was first elected to the council in May 2022 and represents the Cricket Green Ward in Mitcham.

She will be assisted in her role as Mayor by her consort, Ann Gillespie, and her chaplain will be Father David Pennells from the St Peter and St Pauls Parish Church in Mitcham.

The Deputy Mayor for 2023/24 is Councillor Martin Whelton, who represents Pollards Hill ward. His consort is Veronica Whelton.