Agenda and draft minutes

To elect a Town Mayor for 2025/26.

Cllr Martin proposed and Cllr Jackson seconded, Cllr George Murray as Mayor for 2025-2026.

In proposing Cllr Martin said Cllr Murray would be an excellent Mayor having been a proactive member of Council following a career in hospitality and having started a successful local café business.  Cllr Martin wished him every success in his role of Mayor.

Cllr Jackman seconded the nomination saying that Cllr Murray would be great in the role of Mayor.  He was vocal, passionate and had already given so much as a councillor.  Cllr Jackman could think of no better candidate for Mayor.  

There being no other nominations, it was RESOLVED unanimously that Cllr George Murray be Mayor of Farnham for 2025-26.

The outgoing Mayor Cllr Mauluka, invested Cllr Murray with the Mayoral Chain and Badge of Office.

To receive the Mayor’s Declaration of Acceptance of Office.

Cllr Murray made his declaration of acceptance of office and began his duties as Mayor. He thanked Cllr Martin and Jackman for proposing him and Council for entrusting him with the privilege being elected to the important role of Mayor.  He thanked the outgoing Mayor and Mayoress for the marvellous job they did said it would be no easy task following in the footsteps of someone so well-loved, respected, and so much fun.

Cllr Murray said becoming Mayor of his adopted town, was beyond anything he could ever have imagined in his life and he thanked his friends and those who encouraged him to begin his council journey. 

The Mayor looked forward to working with all the officers and volunteers in the coming year. Farnham was lucky to have such a dedicated team of officers and he had seen first-hand the brilliant work they do every single day.

In the year ahead, the Mayor had chosen to support Hale Youth Club and the Sandy Hill Shooting Stars football team as his mayoral charity. It was a way of giving back and a chance to make a real difference to the lives of the next generation. He also looked forward to supporting all community groups across Farnham and being a champion for the incredible work that everyone did in making their town a better place for all.

One particular initiative the Mayor would like to take forward, building on what has already been started, was to bring together young people in a special event to give them a voice and help FTC understand better how it could best support them. 

In conclusion the Mayor promised to serve proudly with heart, energy, and dedication.

The Mayor presented the badge of office of Mayoress to his wife, Mrs Jacoba Murray.

To receive apologies for absence.

There were no apologies.

To receive from members, in respect of any items included on the agenda for this meeting, disclosure of any disclosable pecuniary or other interests, or of any gifts and hospitality, in line with the Town Council’s Code of Conduct.

NOTES:

(i)              The following councillors have made a general non-pecuniary interest declaration in relation to being councillors of Waverley Borough Council: Cllrs David Beaman, Alan Earwaker, Tony Fairclough, George Hesse, Andrew Laughton, Mark Merryweather, Kika Mirylees, George Murray, John Ward, and Graham White.

(iii)        The following councillor has made a general non-pecuniary interest declaration in relation to being a councillor of Surrey County Council: Cllr Michaela Martin;

(iv)        Members are requested to make any declarations of interest, on the form attached, to be returned to customer.services@farnham.gov.uk by 5pm on the day before the meeting.

Members are reminded that if they declare a pecuniary interest they must leave before any debate starts unless dispensation has been obtained.

There were no disclosures of interest relating to items on the agenda.

To sign as a correct record the minutes of the Farnham Town Council meeting held on1st May 2025 at Appendix A.

The Minutes of the Farnham Town Council Meeting held on Thursday 1^st May 2025 were agreed as a correct record for the signature of the Mayor.

To elect the Deputy Town Mayor for the municipal year 2025/26.

Cllr Beaman proposed, and Cllr Laughton seconded, that Cllr Graham White be elected Deputy Mayor for the Municipal Year 2025-26.

Cllr Beaman said Cllr White had been an dedicated and hardworking councillor since he was elected, having taken on the role of co-leader and then leader and would make an excellent deputy Mayor.  Cllr Laughton said he was happy to second and knew that he would do a fantastic job.

There being no other nominations, it was RESOLVED unanimously that Cllr Graham White be Deputy Mayor for 2025-26.

To receive the Deputy Mayor’s Declaration of Acceptance of Office.

Having received the badge of office, Cllr White made his declaration of acceptance of office and thanked his proposer and seconder for their kind words.  He really valued the support and interactions with councillors over the previous two years and was looking forward to supporting the Mayor in the year ahead. 

The Mayor advised that the Deputy Mayoress was recuperating at home after a short stay in hospital and wished her well for a speedy recovery and her badge of office would be presented at a later date.

To receive the Vote of Thanks for the retiring Town Mayor Cllr Brodie Mauluka.

Cllr Bown proposed a vote of thanks to the retiring Mayor, Cllr Brodie Mauluka, which was seconded by Cllr Mirylees. 

Cllr Brown said he was delighted to propose the vote of thanks.  From Mayor Earwaker’s phenomenal hard work to Mayor Maluka’s laid back coolness everyone knew  Farnham was under new management.  He brought an air of utter coolness to the office and had a megawatt smile in all his dealings with residents, officers and councillors.

Cllr Mauluka had been an excellent and ‘uber cool’ guitar playing Mayor with one memorable occasion being him getting on stage and playing at the Britain in Bloom national awards.  His relaxed style and friendliness with his wife Caroline alongside have done Farnham proud and everyone was delighted to have had the coolest Mayor ever.

Cllr Mirylees agreed and said what struck her was how many people knew the outgoing Mayor and obviously liked him.  Having a Mayor who played in a band, his own band, taking part in events such as Christmas Lights Switch on and World Music Day was incredible and she wondered how many councils had such a gifted Mayor.

In response, Cllr Mauluka thanked everyone for supporting him and said he had really enjoyed being Mayor from day one until he handed over his Mayoral chain to the new Mayor.  One of his highlights as a supporter of Farnham Football Club had been their success and that of the Women’s Team and of Farnham Rugby Club.  He reaffirmed his commitment to the charities he had supported, Charlie’s Promise and 40 Degreez, and said he would always be there for them and was not going anywhere.

He wished the new Mayor success and thanked councillors and staff for their support over the year.

Past Town Mayor’s Badge to be presented to Cllr Brodie Mauluka and Past Town Mayoress’s badge to Mrs Caroline Mauluka.

The Mayor presented Cllr Brodie Mauluka with a Past Mayor’s Badge and a gift of a trio of small vases made by Lucy Burley and a photo album of his year of office.  The Mayor presented Mrs Caroline Mauluka with a Past Mayoress’s Badge.

In accordance with Standing Order 4.1, a Leader or Spokesperson for the Council can be Appointed at the Annual Council Meeting but if no appointment is made, the role of Spokesperson for the Council will be undertaken by the Lead Member of the Strategy and Resources Working Group.

Cllr Ward proposed, seconded by Cllr Hesse, that Cllr Graham White be appointed as Leader of the Council for 2025-26.  It was important that the Council had a leader rather than just a spokesperson.  He said that Cllr White had been become Leader immediately upon becoming a new councillor and it was a tough job.  He had taken the role seriously over the past two years with najor accolades for the Council and so Cllr Ward had every confidence in proposing him to continue as Leader and Lead Member of Strategy & Resources.

There being no other nominations it was RESOLVED unanimously that Cllr White be appointed as Leader of the Council for 2025-26.

To agree the date of the next meeting as Thursday June 19^th 2025 at 6pm.

The Town Mayor will close the meeting and invite Members and invited guests to stay for

light refreshments.

Members noted that the next Council Meeting would take place on Thursday 19^th June at 6pm.