Nottingham’s two civic roles have new appointees for the year ahead, following their inauguration at the meeting of the full council yesterday (May 9th).
Councillor Wendy Smith has become the Lord Mayor of Nottingham for the forthcoming year. She has been a councillor for Bilborough since 2013 and has a particular interest in education, disability, the arts and supporting older people to stay in their own homes.
Previously a teacher, she learnt British Sign Language and was part of the team which established the Deaf provision at Firbeck Primary School. Wendy is now an Associate Governor at Mellers Primary School which has the city’s primary provision for Deaf children.
A Licentiate of the Royal Academy of Music, with an interest in Tudor, Baroque and church music, she now plays drums in two jazz bands, and helped set up the Bilborough Arts Festival. She was also the first ‘Voice of the Tram’ for on-board announcements and has fostered 11 children and campaigns on breast cancer and dementia awareness.
Councillor Nicola Heaton is the new Sheriff of Nottingham. She has represented The Meadows, where she lives, since 2011. As Executive Member for Community Services for four years, she helped steer Nottingham to become Britain’s Cleanest City.
Nicola has served on a number of City Council committees including Licencing Committee, Corporate Parenting Board and Audit Committee and also sits on Nottingham & Nottinghamshire Fire Authority. She is a Governor, previously Chair of Governors, at Victoria Primary School in The Meadows. Nicola is now undertaking a PhD in the International Development Department at the University of Birmingham, where she previously completed an MSc International Development and an MA Social Research.
City Council Leader, Cllr David Mellen, said: “Wendy and Nicola have twenty years of dedicated service on the council between them. I congratulate them both on their appointments and I’m sure they will devote their year in office to serving the people of Nottingham diligently.”
The new Executive team of councillors was also approved at the council meeting, including a new deputy leader, three new executive members and changes to portfolio responsibilities.