Members will be asked to make any declarations of interest in respect of items on this agenda.

No declarations of interest were made.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 05 November 2025.

The minutes of the meeting held on 05 November 2025 were agreed as an accurate record with the following amendment:

a)    That minute 15o include ‘group/party’ as follows: “Within political groups, a second nomination could be made to put forward should the Lord Mayor designate be from that group/party, and be unsuccessful at that years’ election”.

To receive nomincations for the office of the Lord Mayor 2026/27.

To recommend to City Council a suitable person to fill the office of Lord Mayor for 2026/27.

The Chair explained:

a)    The process had changed slightly that year to allow nomination forms, aiming to make the process more transparent;

b)    The feedback had been that the form had worked well with the various sections;

c)    The process was inclusive, accessible and transparent, and any issues with the system should be raised with the Chair;

d)    The membership of the Committee was in line with political proportionality.

During discussion it was clarified that:

e)    Historically there had only been one nomination, but this had changed in 2024/25;

f)     The nomination forms had not been shared prior to the meeting outside of political groups;

g)    A Councillor did not need to have been Deputy Lord Mayor to be Lord Mayor;

h)    Further changes to the process might need to be made due to local government reorganisation (LGR).

The Committee sought nominations for the Lord Mayoralty 2026/27.

Councillor Aspinall nominated Councillor Sproston, this was seconded by Councillor Beer. It was unanimously agreed to extend a cordial invitation to Councillor Sproston to accept the nomination to the Office of the Lord Mayor for 2026/27.

i)     Councillors waited upon Councillor Sproston who, on arrival, expressed his thanks for the nomination, which he was very grateful to accept.

The Committee agreed unanimously to recommend to City Council that it approved the appointment of Councillor Sproston as Lord Mayor for the 2026/27 municipal year.