Salisbury City Council has a new Mayor, following the election of Councillor Mr Atiqul Hoque as the 762nd The Right Worshipful the Mayor of the City of Salisbury.
The event on Saturday, 13 May 2023, was attended by over 200 Civic Dignitaries, including Mayors from neighbouring towns and cities, who witnessed the handover of the Mayoral Chain from Cllr Tom Corbin to Cllr Atiqul Hoque.
Cllr Atiqul Hoque said, “The people of Salisbury have made history by choosing their first British Bangladeshi Muslim Mayor, which simply demonstrates how Salisbury has become more diverse and welcoming. I’m hopeful my mayorship will encourage others to come forward and engage with Salisbury City Council.
“Salisbury has been through some tough times recently, from the Novichok incident to the pandemic, and now the time has come for us to put all of this behind us. I hope to promote what our beautiful medieval city has to offer; I will stand alongside businesses and help our high street flourish.”
The Mayor’s Charity for 2023 - 2024 will be Salisbury Rotary Club. The funds raised during Cllr Hoque’s year as mayor will be split between the Riding for Disabled Association and Salisbury Hospice.
The Mayor will be supported during his Mayoral Year by the Mayoress, his wife, Mrs Farhana Hoque.
The Mayor’s Chaplain will be The Very Revd Nicholas Papadopulos, Dean of Salisbury.
The Mayoral Scout will be Arthur from the 4th Harnham Scouts, and the Mayoral Guide will be Jess from the 1st Wilton Guides, with Ryan as the Reserve Mayoral Scout.
The Deputy Mayor for 2023 – 2024 is Cllr Sven Hocking.