Councillor Stephanie Nunn appointed as new mayor of Havering

Stephanie Nunn has been appointed as Havering’s new mayor.

Cllr Nunn, a member of the Havering Residents Association group, served as deputy mayor for the last year under Labour’s Trevor McKeever.

After taking an oath, Cllr Nunn said it was an “honour and privilege” to take on the role and promised to do her “very best” as an ambassador for the borough.

For the next year the new mayor will chair full council meetings, ensure it debates matters of concern to the local community and represent the borough at civic events.

Although the mayoral role is largely ceremonial, they are considered the ‘first citizen’ of the borough.

Cllr Nunn, who was first elected in 2014 and represents Elm Park ward, appointed her husband Barry Mugglestone as mayor’s consort. Labour’s Patricia Brown has also been selected as deputy mayor.

The new mayor will fundraise for her chosen charities, one of which is the RAF Hornchurch Heritage Centre.

Each of the political group leaders paid tribute to outgoing mayor Trevor McKeever for having a “fantastic year”.

Council leader Ray Morgon said Cllr McKeever had been “superb” at the late Queen’s Jubilee celebrations, followed by her funeral and the King’s coronation.

This was despite the outgoing mayor’s lack of experience as a councillor, with his appointment coming shortly after being elected for the first time in May 2022.

Labour group leader Keith Darvill said Cllr McKeever made him “really proud”, particularly during the Wennington fires last summer where he was able to call on his experiences as a firefighter.