THE FINAL Annual General Meeting of Carlisle City Council took place this week, it saw the appointment of a new mayor and deputy mayor for the 2022/23 municipal year.

Councillor Mike Mitchelson of the Conservative group was elected and sworn in as the 435th mayor of Carlisle at the meeting on Monday morning.

He takes up the torch from outgoing mayor Pamela Birks in the city council’s financial year before it is replaced by Cumberland Council.

Cllr Mitchelson, who served as leader of the council leader for 13 years, was proposed for the role of First Citizen by former mayor Marilyn Bowman.

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Paying tribute to Cllr Mitchelson’s experience, she said: “Mike has been heavily involved in the National Federation of Retail Newsagents both locally and nationally, being a member of the national executive for 36 years until stepping down at the end of last year.

“He has had the extremely rare honour of being their National President on two occasions during this time.

“Mike became a member of city council in November 1995, representing and championing Brampton and its residents of over 26 years.

Cllr Bowman said: “He became leader of the council in 1999 and during his 13-year term of office led the city through its many challenges including foot and mouth disease and the great flood of 2005.”

READ MORE: "Privileged and honoured" - Carlisle mayor prepares to pass the torch

Cllr Mitchelson was elected as mayor of Carlisle, unopposed and said that he is “privileged and humbled” to wear the chain.

“Our residents, businesses and communities have been hit hard by the recent pandemic and I am committed as their First Citizen to work with all partners to help everyone recover and get back on their feet.”

News and Star: Councillor Colin Glover accepts his seat as deputy mayor next to new mayor Mike MitchelsonCouncillor Colin Glover accepts his seat as deputy mayor next to new mayor Mike Mitchelson

Another former leader of the council, Colin Glover was elected to serve as deputy mayor by his colleagues in the Labour group.

Cllr Lisa Brown said: “It is an honour and a privilege to stand before you today and nominate Cllr Colin Glover for the office of deputy mayor, in this, the last year of Carlisle City Council.

“Whilst I have no doubt that this is nowhere near the end of Cllr Glover’s involvement with the city and its community, it’s worth noting today his experience in both professional and public roles is so vast I doubt any speech could do it justice.”

Stepping down as mayor, Cllr Birks said: “It has been my privilege and honour to be the First Citizen of Carlisle, I have met all manner of folk with amazing interests, ambition and dreams.

News and Star: Departing Mayor of Carlisle Pamela BirksDeparting Mayor of Carlisle Pamela Birks

“As Mayor out and about in the chain, I was constantly amazed at people’s drive, and energy in working to make a difference and create a better life for themselves and those around them.

“I include in this the work done by my charity committee in fundraising for Oaktree and Mind, raising over £10,000 in what has been a difficult fundraising environment with so many of our planned events constrained by Covid-19.”

READ MORE: 210 people died in poverty in Carlisle in 2019