Reflecting on the past year & looking forward
Dear ,
After 1 year as Mayor, Muryel reflected on the task in her closing speech at the Annual Parish Meeting:
I stood for Mayor because I believe this role belongs to all of us. You do not need to be a career politician. You do not need a lifetime in public service. You need courage, time, and a genuine desire to give back to the place you call home.
This role took me to corners of this town I had never seen and introduced me to people from every walk of life who have changed how I see the world. That is the real gift of the mayoralty. Not the chain, but the conversations.
I need to acknowledge the people who made all of this possible: our office staff. A year ago, they onboarded eleven brand new councillors. They did it with patience and extraordinary grace.
I am proud of what this council has achieved this year, together:
A strategy for 2026–2029. Built together in workshops, with a clear shared direction across four key themes.
Marlow’s first Community Organisations Forum. Over sixty groups in the room, talking to each other and to us. We have committed to keep doing it.
An improved Community Grant Scheme, putting resources into the hands of people who know best how to use them.
Introduced Youth Awards to celebrate the young people in our town
Residents surgeries in the South East ward
And the Mayor’s charity walks — 34 days, over forty people participating, about £1,800 raised for Wild Marlow and Brighter Futures Together.
At the same meeting, Jenny was elected as Mayor for next year:
I want to thank my fellow councillors and residents for the trust and confidence they are placing in me. There are three areas of activity which I would like to focus on in the coming year. These are:
The new strategy and its implementation across all four strategic themes.
Promoting and facilitating a cohesive and respectful council where everyone has a voice.
To be relevant and accessible in building value for residents of our town.
You can find photos from the meeting and ceremony on MyMarlow.
