New Westminster mayor focuses her attention on the environment

One half of Westminster Council’s only husband and wife councillor pairing has taken up the role of Lord Mayor ahead of what she says will be an “extraordinary year” for the borough.

Cllr Angela Harvey, whose husband David is also a councillor, was elected as Westminster Lord Mayor last Wednesday and immediately set about her official duties.

The new Lord Mayor, who joined the council in 2002 and represents Tachbrook ward in the south of the borough, says her main theme for the year ahead is to increase access to the natural environment and the arts in Westminster.

“I want to promote an open Westminster,” she said.“Ninety per cent of our residents live in flats and it’s not as straightforward getting access to the natural environment as it would be elsewhere in the city.

“I want to talk to as many people as possible who might be able to help our communities have better access to these things.”

Cllr Harvey, who has put her day job as an HR consultant aside for the year, says she is “slightly daunted” but “excited” about the seven-day-a-week job of being Westminster Lord Mayor.

Her predecessor, Cllr Susie Burbridge, completed over 1,000 engagements during her year in the role and despite not being given any tickets to the Olympics – with the council choosing instead to give their allocation to community champions – Cllr Harvey says she is looking forward to being kept busy during this summer’s Games.

“The job is about supporting everybody in Westminster and it’s such a privilege,” she said.

“It’s a very special year with the Queen’s Jubilee and the Olympics and I know Westminster is going to give the most amazing show to the world.”