Councillor Liz Green has been appointed the new Mayor of Kingston today, 15 May, replacing her predecessor Cllr Diane White.

Representing St Mark's and Seething Wells ward for over 20 years, Cllr Green has been Leader of the Council from 2013 to 2014, and from 2018 to 2020.

The new mayor has also been Leader of the Opposition and Deputy Leader since first moving to Surbiton in 1998.

She is joined by Cllr Elizabeth Park as Deputy Mayor of Kingston, who Kingston Council say will help recognise "the massive contribution our local Korean residents make to our Royal Borough" as the first Korean representative in the borough's Mayoral team.

Cllr Park works as an advanced clinical practitioner at the mental health community service, and volunteers at mental health charity Mind in Kingston.

Once appointed, the mayor elects a charity of their choice to support during their term, with Cllr Green selecting Habitats & Heritage.

The local charity, chair of the Kingston Biodiversity Partnership, says it is dedicated to "protecting and enhancing south and west London's historic environment," through urban greening projects, support of 'Friends of' groups, and more.

"The Mayor has chosen this cause to promote the importance and benefits that volunteering can bring," say the council.

A caricature of Cllr Green as Mayor of Kingston released by Kingston Council. (Photo: Karltoons via Kingston Council)

Commenting on her charity and mayoral year, the new Mayor of Kingston said: "We have some fantastic groups of people volunteering to improve our parks, open spaces and heritage. I want to celebrate the work they do and encourage more to take part or start their own groups.

"I want my Mayoral year to not just be about fundraising and attending events, but also to actively celebrate together with our wonderful residents and volunteers. 

"I'm hoping to reach out to new people and groups that don't usually think to speak to the Mayor, but want to celebrate their successes with us."

Cllr Green will be holding a treasure hunt from Queens Promenade in her home ward to Canbury Gardens on 6 July.

More details will be released closer to the time.

Kingston Council has also announced the following appointments of their portfolio holders:

• Leader and Portfolio Holder for Heritage and Culture – Andreas Kirsch
• Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Communities, Leisure and Economic Development – Alison Holt
• Portfolio Holder for Finance, Assets and Governance – Richard Thorpe
• Portfolio Holder for Commissioning, Customer Contact and Equalities – Afy Afilaka
• Portfolio Holder for Housing – Emily Davey
• Portfolio Holder for Climate Action, Biodiversity and Planning Policy – Ian Manders
• Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Transport and Waste and Recycling – Nicola Nardellil 
• Portfolio Holder for Adult Social Care and Public Health – Sabah Hamed
• Portfolio Holder for Children's services including Education – Diane White