harpenden welcomes new mayor and deputy mayor at annual council meeting
Harpenden Town Council’s Annual Town and Annual Council Meeting took place on 12th May 2025. This meeting is the first Full Council of each municipal year. It decides which Councillors sit on what Committees and who is elected Mayor and Deputy Mayor, as well as celebrating the work and achievements of the previous year.
The evening began with the retiring Mayor, Cllr Pip Liver, presenting her charities, Youth Talk and The Harpenden Trust, with their fundraising cheques, and medals and certificates to this year’s recipients of the Town Council’s Award of Merit. Recipients of the Award included those recognised for service to the St Albans and District Talking Newspaper, the Parish of Harpenden, the Harpenden and Wheathampstead District Scouts, The Harpenden Money Advice Centre and local Citizens Advice.
It was then the first order of business to elect a new Town Mayor and Deputy Mayor for the Municipal Year 2025/26. Cllr Beth Fisher was duly elected Town Mayor, and Cllr Kirsti Wenn Deputy Mayor. The Mayoral Chain was presented to the new Town Mayor who gave a speech thanking Councillors for her election and setting out her aims for her Mayoral year.
Cllr Beth Fisher, the new Town Mayor, said: “I promise to do my very best to serve everyone in our community, equally and wholeheartedly. I take on this role with great respect for Harpenden, its residents and history, and a genuine desire to make a positive difference. Harpenden is a wonderful town, full of heart and community spirit.”
The retiring Town Mayor gave a valedictory speech and was presented with her Past Town Mayor Badge and Certificate.
Civic guests included Mr David Williams, Deputy Lieutenant for the Hertfordshire Lieutenancy, the Chairman of Hertfordshire County Council, the Mayor of Houghton Regis and the Deputy Mayor of Dunstable.
The office of Town Mayor of Harpenden is a dual role; the Mayor is both the First Citizen of Harpenden and Chairman of the Council. As First Citizen, the Mayor carries out civic duties such as laying a wreath for Remembrance Day and switching on Christmas lights, as well as attending events such as prizegivings, local group AGMs and choral concerts. As Chairman, the Mayor chairs Full Council.
In addition, the Mayor hosts a number of charity events and fundraising activities through their Mayoral year to raise funds for their nominated charities. The Mayor’s charities this year are The Herts Domestic Abuse Helpline and The King’s Pantry Foodbank. These two local charities reflect the Mayor’s chosen theme for the year, ‘Helping People Through Tough Times’ by supporting people who are vulnerable or struggling.