Yesterday evening, Maggie and I headed over to the Ellesmere Port Library Committee Room to attend the 2026 Charter Trustee Meeting. The Charter Trustee Meeting is where local councillors discuss important topics or elect the next Mayor of Ellesmere Port. The meetings are held 4-6 times a year, and duties are mainly limited to ceremonial activities. The Charter Trustees also set the mayoral budget and maintain the relationship with our twinning town, Reutlingen. Yesterday evening's meeting focused on electing the next Mayor.
Our current Mayor, Cllr Katie Kendrick OBE, had her inauguration (also known as Mayor Making) on 4 June 2025. At the same ceremony, Cllr John Stockton, of the Wolverham ward, was welcomed as the Deputy Mayor for 2025/26. Since June 2025, the Mayor has worked incredibly hard to raise funds for her chosen charities, attend local events, highlight local businesses and non-profit organisations, and much more.
The meeting began with a welcome to the new councillor for Wilaston & Thornton ward, Cllr Sion Roberts of the Conservative Party. This meeting was Cllr Roberts' first, following his win in the by-election on Thursday, 22 January 2026.
Councillors then discussed the relationship between Ellesmere Port and Reutlingen, which are twinned towns. This year marks the 60th anniversary of the twinning, making it a very special occasion. Lord Mayor Thomas Keck will visit Ellesmere Port with four others on 1 May 2026. The Mayor’s attendant has planned a number of activities for the group during their stay, including attending the Mayor’s Ball on 2 May.
A document signing will also take place to commemorate the anniversary. A similar document was signed during the 50th anniversary celebrations.
Toni Cioma MBE, founder of the Reutlingen/Ellesmere Port Friendship Group, was named a “Local Legend” by Chester Dee Radio in their article for Armed Forces Week. Toni served as commanding officer of the TS Forward Sea Cadets in Ellesmere Port for 25 years, showing great dedication to the local community. He has also met Sir Keir Starmer, the current Prime Minister of the UK, and was introduced to several MPs. Toni attended last night’s meeting, where he spoke about possible plans for the Lord Mayor’s visit and later congratulated the Mayor on her hard work in Ellesmere Port.
The Mayor then spoke about her communications since January, when the last council meeting took place. Cllr Katie Kendrick OBE highlighted several events she has attended and supported, including: Theatre Porto show “Mika & The Polar Bear”, Ellesmere Port Collective You(th) event, Cheshire West & Chester Foodbank “Thank You” evening, The Apprenticeship Awards at Cheshire College - South & West on Sutton Way & lots more.
The Mayor also spoke about her plans for the Mayor’s Charity Ball in May. She confirmed that The Refiners will be performing at the event and that invitations will be sent out “in the next couple of days”. Cllr Lisa Denson also commented that last year “there was nothing to dance to”, so the Mayor promised there would be plenty of 80s and 90s hits this year. Cllr Kendrick asks residents from Ellesmere Port to attend the community event.
The Mayor then confirmed that Cllr John Stockton will become Mayor, with his inauguration taking place on 3 June 2026, which will be open to the public. In a recent social media post, the Wolverham councillor said:
“I would like to thank Cllr Katie Kendrick OBE, our current Mayor, for having an outstanding year so far, and I’m sure the rest of her year will go just as well.”
Nominations for the next Deputy Mayor were then made. A nomination for Cllr Lisa Denson was made, and fellow trustees supported this nomination.
Cllr Lisa Denson will therefore serve as Deputy Mayor for 2026/27 and is expected to become Mayor of Ellesmere Port for 2027/28 - an exciting moment for the town.
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