Cllr Mike Botting, who has been announced as the Mayor of Bromley for 2023/4, has vowed to use his Mayoral year to visit residents in every corner of the borough.
The new Mayor, who is also Bromley Council’s Loneliness champion, hopes to bring communities together in all wards, and across wards, combining two of his Member roles to make further difference in the borough.
The appointment of Cllr Botting, who has been ward councillor for Chelsfield since 2018, was made at Bromley Council’s AGM on 10 May.
Speaking about his appointment, Cllr Botting said: “It is a tremendous honour to be named First Citizen of the Borough of Bromley, one that I embrace with dignity, integrity and enthusiasm.
“I have lived in Bromley for 44 years and brought up four wonderful children here. My year as Mayor offers me another way to give something back to the community that has given me so much.
“I am committed to being Mayor of the entire Borough of Bromley, and as such I intend to spend the next year visiting residents in every single ward. I want to visit everywhere from schools to care homes, from charities to businesses, supporting absolutely everyone from every walk of life in our fantastic community.”
In addition to being the Council’s Member Champion for Loneliness, Cllr Botting is also the Armed Forces champion. He continues in these roles as Mayor and will keep them among his priorities during his term of office.
In his first speech as Mayor of Bromley, Cllr Botting took time to thank the outgoing Mayor, Cllr Hannah Gray, and Deputy Mayor, Cllr Christine Harris, for their exceptional commitment over the past year.
The new Mayor named Cllr Keith Onslow, ward councillor for Petts Wood and Knoll, as his Deputy Mayor. Reverend George Rogers, vicar of All Saints Church, Orpington, was named Mayoral Chaplain 2023/24.
During 2023/24, the Mayor of Bromley will endeavour to raise funds for a trio of charities to which he has a particular connection: Orpington Sea Cadets, of which he is President; PTSD999, which supports members of the blue light services suffering from PTSD; and The Mummum Foundation, which offers support and respite to people suffering from cancer, and their families.
Cllr Botting is the 57thMayor of Bromley, but has previously served as Mayor’s Consort on two occasions, assisting his wife Cllr Kim Botting in her Mayoral duties in 2015/16 and 2018/19.
ENDS
For media enquiries, please contact Matthew Amer, Senior Public Affairs Officer, on 020 8313 4938 or email matthew.amer@bromley.gov.uk