Councillor Janet Smith’s term as Mayor of the City and District of St Albans has been extended for a year because of the disruption caused by the COVID-19 emergency.
She will continue in the post until May 2021, following the cancellation of this year’s Council elections. Councillor Sandra Wood will remain as Deputy.
The appointments were confirmed at an online meeting of St Albans City and District Council on Wednesday, May 20.
For her charity for the year, the Mayor has chosen St Albans and Hertsmere Women’s Refuge (SAHWR), an organisation that provides support to victims of domestic abuse.
The Mayor said: “I am looking forward along with Councillor Wood to serving our community in the year ahead. This extra year was, of course, unexpected and is the result of the upheaval caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Hopefully, we will soon be entering the recovery phase and I will be doing all I can to support our charities, community groups and businesses as they begin the difficult challenge of trying to return to normal.
“I am planning to represent the council at civic, ceremonial and local events as much as I can with many occasions being held online rather than in their usual format.
“There are concerns that the lockdown may lead to an increase in domestic abuse and with that in mind, I have chosen SAHWR to be my charity and will be working to raise funds for it. Quietly and effectively, they do a tremendous amount of good work in our community and I am proud to support their efforts.”
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