Welcoming Jude Deakin as new Mayor of Chelmsford

The new Mayor and Mayoress of Chelmsford for 2020 – 21 are Councillor Jude Deakin and her daughter Helen. They were elected last night (Wednesday 13 May) at the first-ever virtual meeting of the Full Chelmsford City Council.

Jude lived in South Woodham Ferrers with her two daughters Heather and Helen before moving to Chelmsford in 2006. She previously worked in logistics, recruitment, office management and as a carer.

A member of South Woodham Ferrers Town Council for approximately 15 years, only leaving when she moved to Chelmsford, Jude has represented Marconi Ward on Chelmsford City Council since 2007. Since 2009, she has served on Essex County Council representing Chelmsford West, enabling her to progress casework through both councils, which she enjoys. Jude has served on various Essex committees, including Overview and Scrutiny, Corporate Parenting, People and Families, as well as being Chair of Chelmsford Youth Strategy Group. On the City Council, she has been Cabinet Member for Safer Chelmsford from May 2019 until now.

Jude has been a member of Chetwood Primary, William De Ferrers and Rainsford High School PTAs and was a school governor at Collingwood Primary, Rainsford High/St Peters College and KEGS. She is currently a member of Chelmsford Community Radio, a trustee of North Chelmsford Community Trust and a past trustee of Helping Hands Essex.

On her election as Mayor of Chelmsford, Councillor Jude Deakin said, “I am honoured to have been elected as Mayor for this great city and am looking forward to actively supporting local residents, businesses, community groups and charities during this challenging time.”

Deputy Mayor – Councillor Linda Mascot

The Mayor appointed Councillor Linda Mascot to be her deputy and she will be supported by her husband, Ian, as her Consort.

Linda was born at St. John’s Hospital and has lived in Chelmsford for most of her life. On leaving school, she became an apprentice at Marconi Communication Systems Ltd in New Street and her mum, Pat Starr, was the Essex Chronicle’s Mrs Chelmsford in 1976.

Linda now lives in Tile Kiln with her husband and the youngest of her six children. She was first elected to Chelmsford Borough Council in 2011 to represent Goat Hall Ward and was re-elected in May 2019. She has contributed more than 28 years of community involvement, including The Tile Kiln Residents’ Association and Neighbourhood Watch, being a Founding Trustee of the Moulsham Lodge Community Trust, SEN Governor of Mildmay Junior School, and writing a monthly community column for the Moulsham Times.

As Inclusion Manager at a local junior school, Linda works closely with children who have special educational needs, young carers and other vulnerable pupils, offering practical and pastoral support to help them overcome barriers to their learning, including social and emotional difficulties.

The Mayor’s Charities

The Mayor’s theme for the year is ‘wellbeing’ and she has chosen three charities which work tirelessly towards that goal. They are Helping Hands Essex (HHE), MIND and Sanctus.

Father Tom Page – The Mayor’s Chaplain

The Mayor has appointed Father Tom Page from the Church of the Ascension with All Saints. The Mayor’s Chaplain will act during her term of office to open all meetings of the Council with prayers and officiate at various civic events.

Civic Engagements

Due to the Government’s advice on limiting the spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) the Mayor and/or Deputy Mayor will not be able to physically attend events for the foreseeable future. However, if you or someone you know has a special birthday or anniversary coming up and would like to invite the Mayor to join you by video call, simply visit www.chelmsford.gov.uk/mayor and complete the ‘Invite the Mayor’ form with details of your celebration, your contact phone number and preferred choice of digital platform for video calls. Subject to the Mayor’s availability, she may be able to schedule a call with you.

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