New lord mayor appointed by city council

Hull City Council has appointed a new lord mayor.

Councillor Cheryl Payne, who represents the Derringham ward, was selected as the city's 112th mayor at the authority's annual general meeting on Thursday.

Payne, who was previously deputy mayor, said: "The last year has gone so quickly, but it was an absolute honour and a privilege to do that role and I'll take that further forward with this one."

Councillor Maria Coward, who represents the Boothferry ward, was chosen as the new deputy lord mayor.

Raising a photograph of her father wearing a Hull City shirt, Payne told the meeting: "It's quite a poignant day for me today because it would have been my dad's birthday and he would have been 110.

"I'm hoping him and my mum are with me."

Council leader Mike Ross congratulated the incoming mayor on her new role.

"I know how much it means to you an I'm sure you'll enjoy your year ahead," he said.

Ross then went on to joke how pleased he was was that a Liberal Democrat had been selected after he came second to Reform's Luke Campbell in Hull and East Yorkshire's first mayoral elections earlier this month.

Commenting on the selection of the new deputy mayor, councillor Jack Haines, added: "Maria is probably one of the best councillors I'll ever meet across the country, not just here.

"She cares so deeply about people, not just in her ward but right across the city and that's why she'll be so good at this job."

Payne takes over from councillor Mark Collinson who had held the position since May 2024, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

An official installation ceremony will take place next Thursday.

Duties of the mayor include chairing full council meetings, representing the city at events, including those to raise funds for the mayor's chosen charities.

Payne was also appointed Admiral of the Humber.

The right to exercise admiralty authority in the Humber was granted to the Borough of Hull in 1447 by Henry VI.

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