Councillor Pat Evemy (Labour) and Sheriff (Deputy Lord Mayor) Councillor Kat Barbour (Green party), began their year-long term of office.

On Wednesday 20 May, civic dignitaries, councillors, and members of the public came together to welcome Southampton’s new Lord Mayor.

In the traditional Mayor Making ceremony held at O2 Guildhall, the Right Worshipful Lord Mayor of Southampton, Councillor Pat Evemy (Labour) and Sheriff (Deputy Lord Mayor) Councillor Kat Barbour (Green party), began their year-long term of office.

As Southampton’s ‘First Citizen’, the Lord Mayor is responsible for conducting public engagements, chairing Council meetings, and representing the city locally, across the UK and the world.   

Councillor Evemy took her oath of office and received the prestigious Mayoral Chain and robes during the ceremony. Next year Councillor Kat Barbour will become the first green mayor of Southampton.

speaking to Voice FM a delighted Kat said: “This is a great opportunity to be part of the traditions and history of this great City. Beating the bounds and chairing the Court Leet where “commoners” can come and present issues of concern to them is an early example of democracy in action”.  

She will bring Green values of inclusivity, community and environmentalism to the role wherever possible.

Kat is the first Green councillor to hold this role in Southampton, a role dating back to 1445 when King Henry VI granted the town the status of a county and the authority to elect its own sheriff.

The Right Worshipful Lord Mayor of Southampton, Councillor Pat Evemy said: “It is a great honour to serve the people of Southampton as Lord Mayor. I feel incredibly humbled to be surrounded today by so many inspiring individuals who have already made such valuable contributions to our city. I am truly looking forward to the year ahead and to working alongside the people who make Southampton such a vibrant and special place.

Being Sheriff has enabled me to meet many people working hard to make this City a great place to live and many older people who have lived their lives in this city and have great stories to tell. I am hoping in my year as Lord Mayor to capture some of this creativity and to celebrate Southampton through stories, music and art.”

The Lord Mayor’s chosen charities are Hamble Lifeboat, Mayflower Theatre Trust and SCRATCH (Southampton City and Region Action to Combat Hardship).

The new Children’s Mayor was also introduced at the Mayor Making event. Laramie Guzman Aldana was selected to represent the children of Southampton for the year ahead.

The Children’s Mayor of Southampton Laramie Guzman Aldana said: “I am excited to be the fifth Children's Mayor. My project is ‘Board Games, Books and Biscuits’ to help combat loneliness and improve people’s quality of life. The project brings children and older people together to play games, read and enjoy biscuits. I hope this will mean less screen time for children, improving their social skills and confidence, whilst providing opportunities to spend time with older people, sharing fun and enjoyable experiences together. I am really excited that I am going to go to lots of events on behalf of the children of Southampton.”

Image from left to right: The Right Worshipful Lord Mayor of Southampton, Councillor Pat Evemy; Sheriff (Deputy Lord Mayor) Councillor Kat Barbour and Children’s Mayor of Southampton Laramie Guzman Aldana.