New Mayor of Medway Cllr Barry Kemp has taken over the mayoral chains of office for the coming year from outgoing mayor Cllr Josie Iles.

Cllr Barry Kemp officially took up his duties as Mayor of Medway last night when he was elected at the council’s Annual Meeting.

The Mayoress is Joyce Kemp. The Deputy Mayor is Cllr Ray Maisey and Deputy Mayoress is Buffy Maisey.

The new mayor’s chosen charities for his year in office are Medway Young Carers; Headway; Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance; Oliver Fisher Special Care Baby Trust and Streetcops Trust.

Although money is still being counted, it is estimated that the outgoing mayor, Cllr Iles, raised around £8,000 for charity.

Her chosen charities for her year were Age UK, Demelza, Caring Hands and Help for Heroes.
Cllr Iles said: “It has been a terrific privilege to serve Medway as its mayor.

“I’d like to thank all the mayors across Kent for their support in raising money for my charities and I wish Cllr Kemp all the best during his mayorality.”

New mayor, Cllr Kemp, who was previously Deputy Mayor of Medway in 2009/10, added: “I am very pleased and very honoured to be asked to serve as the Mayor of Medway. I am looking forward to meeting and working with all across Medway and wider Kent.

“I would like to congratulate Cllr Iles for raising so much for her charities and hope I am able to raise as much.”

• Read more from both the incoming and outgoing mayors in Monday's Medway Messenger.