The office of Mayor
Who is the Mayor, invite the Mayor to an event and Mayor's Appeal charities
The Mayor is the Borough’s ‘First Citizen’ and is elected annually by fellow councillors at the annual meeting of the Council in May. The Mayor chairs the full council meetings and normally takes a non-political role to ensure fair play.
The current Mayor is Councillor Cynthia Garton and the Mayor’s Escort is Councillor Derek Pretty.
Councillor Cynthia Garton was invested as the Borough of Eastleigh’s First Citizen at the annual Mayor Making ceremony at the King’s Community Church, Hedge End. Cynthia, who represents Hedge End South ward, has been a Borough Councillor for five years.
Cynthia, who was born in Portsmouth, went to school in Leigh Park, Havant. She moved to Hedge End in 1978 and has one son, Adam, who attended Kings Copse and Wildern schools in Hedge End and Eastleigh College. Cynthia enjoyed an office-based career working for companies including Petters in Hamble, HSBC Financial Services and construction firm Clancy Docwra.
She became a Hedge End Town Councillor in 1999 and a Borough Councillor in 2016 and in her own words ‘absolutely loves’ being a Councillor as it is a way of being able to give something back and being able to make a difference to the community. Cynthia is also Chair of Hedge West End & Botley Area Committee.
Her main interests include the theatre, music and dance, especially musical theatre and regularly attends local shows. Although her favourite city is New York where she has enjoyed watching three shows on Broadway.
Cynthia said: “I’m very excited about my Mayoral year. I am looking forward to a positive future, where I will be able to meet with as many residents as possible and celebrate this great community of Eastleigh Borough and the place we call home.”
This year’s Mayors Charity appeal will be in aid of, The Mountbatten Hospice in
West End and also the ‘Remembrance Avenue’ currently under construction at Itchen Valley Country Park.
The Deputy Mayor is Councillor Adam Manning and the Deputy Mayoress is Alison Manning.
Inviting the Mayor and Mayoress to an event
The Mayor represents the Council at a number of events and functions and attends around 400 during the mayoral year. The Mayor takes precedence over all other citizens when in Borough, the only exception being when Royalty or the Lord Lieutenant are present.
If you would like to invite the Mayor to attend your event, please email mayorsoffice@eastleigh.gov.uk or phone us on 023 8068 8087 or 023 8068 8313.
If the Mayor is unable to attend, the Deputy Mayor will be asked to attend.
There is no charge for the Mayor or Deputy Mayor to attend your event
Addressing the Mayor?
The full title of the Mayor is The Worshipful the Mayor of the Borough of Eastleigh.
The Mayor should be introduced as “The Mayor of Eastleigh” and be addressed as “Madam Mayor" or "Your Worship", and the Mayor’s Escort as Councillor Pretty.
The Deputy Mayor should be introduced as “The Deputy Mayor of Eastleigh” and addressed as “Mr Deputy Mayor”, and the Deputy Mayor's Escort as "Madam Deputy Mayoress".
Mayor’s Appeal
This year’s Mayor’s Appeal is raising money for Mountbatten Hampshire and ‘Remembrance Avenue’ currently under construction at Itchen Valley Country Park.
Mountbatten Hampshire
If you live in Southampton and west Hampshire, Mountbatten Hampshire (formerly Countess Mountbatten Hospice) is your local hospice. They are a charity which provides free care and support to people with any life-limiting illness, including respiratory disease, Motor Neurone Disease, heart disease, advanced dementia, respiratory disease and cancer. They also provide free bereavement and psychological support to patients and their families. Much of their work takes places in people's own homes across our community.
‘Remembrance Avenue’
The Council is developing an idea for a ‘Remembrance Avenue’ within Itchen Valley Country Park in respect of the Coronavirus pandemic which has affected us all and sadly led to over 200 residents of the Borough losing their lives. The Mayor wishes to support the development of a space that people will be able to visit, remember their personal loss, but also where all of us can reflect on the past, spend time with our loved ones together and enjoy the open air in a space which is both peaceful and thought provoking. It is hoped that this will be a living and long lasting memorial in a beautiful setting and that it will become a place for all of us as we remember and commemorate.
f you would like to donate to the Mayor's Appeal please make cheques payable to ‘Mayor of Eastleigh’s Appeal Fund’ and send to The Mayor’s Office, Eastleigh Borough Council, Eastleigh House, Upper Market Street, Eastleigh SO50 9YN.