The Mayor of Woking

On Thursday 19 May 2011, Cllr Ken Howard was elected as Woking Borough's 38th Mayor at the official Mayor-Making Ceremony, which took place at the Civic Offices during the Annual Meeting of Woking Borough Council.

A long time resident of Woking, having lived in both Maybury and Knaphill during the last 25 years, Cllr Ken Howard was first elected as the representative for Hermitage and Knaphill South in 2000. He explains: "I first became involved in local matters when I became a governor at my daughter's school. I was then asked if I would consider standing for the Liberal Democrats and I thought it was too good an opportunity to miss, as I like to get engaged in the community and be there for people."

Since being elected, Cllr Howard has served as Chairman of the Appeals Committee, on the Licensing Committee and on a number of working groups, many of which have an environmental focus including Portfolio Holder for the Environment, Chairman of the Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee, the Climate Change Working Group, the Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Task Group and the Waste and Recycling Members Review Panel. He has also acted as the Council's representative on the Fairoaks Airport Consultative Committee.

His keen sense of humour will, he hopes, make the events he will be hosting during his mayoral year fun and enjoyable. "I'm going to be doing things in a different way which focuses on the literary and musical heritage of the Borough. There will be a civic celebration, and perhaps a ball."

During the Mayoral year, Cllr Howard will be supported by his partner, Sally, who will assume the role of Mayoress, escorting him to a wide range of events and functions.

The Mayor's Charity

All events will aim to raise funds for Cllr Howard's chosen charities, which are the Shooting Star CHASE children's hospice, Surrey Young Carers and Woking Community Action Fund.

Shooting Star CHASE helps to support over 500 families in west London, Surrey and West Sussex living with a child or teenager not expected to reach their 19th birthday. Surrey Young Carers offers free impartial information and support to young carers and aims to promote the needs of young carers in all childcare and adult settings. Cllr Howard will also be supporting Woking Community Action Fund, which provides small grants or material support to people who are in hardship.

Speaking about his chosen charities, Cllr Howard explains: "From the beginning, I wanted to support charities which help children and young people. As I was raised in Twickenham and now live in Surrey, there seemed a natural fit to supporting Shooting Star CHASE which is the amalgamation of a charity serving west London and another serving Woking and Guildford. Young carers are often providing a `Cinderella' service - helping to care and support for a family member, sometimes without recognition from anyone other than family and friends. Young carers do tremendous things in supporting and caring for a member of their family and Surrey Young Carers helps to make sure that they can have a life of their own too."

Contact the Mayor

Any correspondence should be sent to the Mayor's Executive Assistant, Jackie Brooks at the Civic Offices, Gloucester Square, Woking, Surrey GU21 6YL, telephone 01483 743023 or email jackie.brooks@woking.gov.uk