Long-serving councillor Yolonda Henson elected new Lord Mayor of Exeter

By Ollie Heptinstall, Local Democracy Reporter

Long-serving Councillor Yolonda Henson is the new lord mayor of Exeter.

The member for St Loyes (Conservative) will perform the politically neutral, ceremonial role for a year after being elected at the historic Guildhall on Tuesday [18 May].

Councillor Rob Newby (Conservative, Topsham) was elected deputy lord mayor. He previously served as lord mayor in 2012/13.

Born and raised in the city, Cllr Henson is the first city councillor to hold the office of deputy mayor, mayor, deputy lord mayor and now lord mayor of Exeter.

She has been a councilor since 1979, with just one year of broken service in 1982.

The appointment means Cllr Henson, a retired hotelier who also worked in the fashion industry, becomes lord mayor 30 years after serving as the previously-titled mayor of the city.

Speaking at the council’s annual meeting, she said: “Thank you for this honour. It is quite unexpected, but I am more than delighted to do it.”

On her long career in local politics, Cllr Henson added: “It’s satisfactory when you help others, and I know other councillors who deal with residents, and you’ve done something for somebody.”

She continued “I would say to those new councillors; welcome, enjoy it, remember we will have difference of opinion … but respect each other.”

Councillor Anne Jobson (Conservative, St Loyes) said it was a “privilege” to nominate her fellow ward councillor.

“Yolonda was one of the first people to welcome me to Exeter some 22 years ago, and she and I have been working ever since. Working with Yolonda, you discover that she is a true example of what public service is all about.

“But wherever you go in Exeter there is someone who she has helped. Yolonda will undoubtedly give that devotion to public duty to this role and Exeter will be in very safe hands.”

Leader Phil Bialyk (Labour, Exwick), whose position was re-confirmed at the meeting following the local election, said he thought Cllr Henson would be a “great lord mayor.”

The meeting was told the new lord mayor’s charity will be Exeter Dementia Alliance.

“I think Exeter would help a great deal on this, so we’ll look forward to raising as much money as we can,” Cllr Henson explained.