SALISBURY will today become its 763rd mayor at a ceremony at St Thomas's Church.
This year's deputy mayor Councillor Sven Hocking will take over the role from cllr Atiqul Hoque, who last year became the city's first British Bangladeshi Muslim mayor.
Cllr Hoque stepped back from public duties earlier this year after he was suspended by his party for making alleged antisemitic comments.
It is not known whether Cllr Hoque will be present at today's ceremony.
Cllr Hocking sits on Salisbury City Council and Wiltshire Council (Conservative, Harnham East).
His profile on Salisbury City Council's profile says cllr Hocking grew up in Salisbury being educated at Bishops Wordworth’s School and still lives in the city with his family.
It adds: "A keen angler and cricketer, he has worked for both local and international aerospace and defence companies and now owns two businesses within the city.
"Sven believes that Salisbury needs revitalising and further investment to re-state its position as the county’s premier location for living, business, tourism and events."
Mayor making
The mayor making will take place at a full Salisbury City Council meeting at 12.10pm on May 11 at the Church of St Thomas and St Edmund.
The vice chairman of the council, cllr Sven Hocking, will call for nominations and the Mayor of the City of Salisbury for 2024-2025 will be elected. The new Mayor will be Cllr Hocking himself.
The Mayor’s ceremonial chains of office will be transferred to the newly elected Mayor. and the ceremonial chain of office worn by the Mayoress will be transferred.
The newly elected Chairman (also cllr Hocking) will chair the meeting from then onwards.
Later on in the meeting, the chief executive officer of the city council Mr Asa Thorpe will be invited to make a speech reflecting on cllr Hoque's year as Mayor.
The new Mayor will then present their Mayoress or Consort with their ceremonial chain of office, followed by the election of the deputy mayor for 2024-2025, which the Journal understands will be cllr Ed Rimmer.
Cllr Rimmer will then be presented with his ceremonial chain of office.
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