New Mayor of Swale appointed
Published
Friday 22 May, 2026
Updated
Friday 22 May, 2026
The Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Swale for the next civic year have been appointed at a council meeting last week.
Swale Borough Council Councillors elected Cllr Derek Carnell as Mayor and Cllr Angela Harrison as Deputy Mayor, at annual council on 13 May.
During the Mayor making process Cllr Karen Watson, the retiring Mayor, removed her badge of office and the Sergeant at Mace placed the chains of office onto the new Mayor.
Cllr Carnell announced Cruse Bereavement East Kent and Swale and Prostate Cancer UK as the mayor’s charities that will receive the funds raised from the mayoral events throughout the civic year.
The mayor also named their cadet; Cdt Cpl Kaylin Thomas who is a part of the 2230 Sittingbourne Squadron of the Air Cadets.
Cllr Derek Carnell, the Mayor of Swale, said:
“Swale is such a special place, and it is a great honour to be representing the beautiful borough that I love for the civic year ahead.
“The charities I have chosen to fundraise for are so important because they help people who are going through some of the hardest life events imaginable; loss of a loved one and a diagnosis of cancer.
“I am looking forward to putting my all into my role as Mayor and I can’t wait to be a part of the incredible events across Swale and fundraise for these life-saving charities.”
Cllr Karen Watson, the retiring mayor, said:
“Being the Mayor of Swale has been an incredible privilege, and I have thoroughly enjoyed being a part of events across the borough and fundraising for charities close to my heart.
“Including the mayor’s cycle for charity across Kent, fundraising for Cancer Research UK and Sateda, and awarding our local heroes at the annual Civic Awards.
“But the highlight for me was carrying the Baton of Hope; raising awareness for mental health and suicide prevention, because, for me, being mayor means striving to make a difference, and by sharing my personal experiences I know I made an impact.
“Derek will do a stellar job as Mayor of Swale and has been a great deputy throughout my time in office, and I wish him the best of luck for his civic year ahead.”
