East Acton ward Councillor Hitesh Tailor has been made the new Mayor of Ealing for 2023-2024 and the first of Hindu Gujarati heritage.
At the borough’s annual council meeting on Tuesday (23 May 2023), it was announced that he would become Mayor and follows his role as Deputy Mayor to Councillor Mohinder Midha from 2022-2023. Councillor Charan Sharma, councillor for Perivale ward, will be the deputy mayor for the year.
Councillor Tailor said: “The role of Mayor brings with it tremendous responsibility and a huge sense of pride for communities across the borough and I fully recognise the importance of the role as the face of the borough. I look forward to visiting each of our seven towns and celebrating our borough’s diversity. I’m particularly proud of my British Indian heritage and of being the first Mayor of Ealing of Hindu Gujarati heritage.”
Councillor Tailor will be supported in his role as Mayor by Miss Chaitali Tailor.
The Mayor has chosen Acton Park-based A.P.P.L.E a charity working with children, young people and their families as his first charity for the year.
Vicki Barker, A.P.P.L.E co-founder and project coordinator told EALING.NEWS: “A.P.P.L.E are delighted with being chosen as one of the Mayor’s charities for this coming year. It will help A.P.P.L.E.a great deal. It is also very rewarding being recognised for the work we do with children and young people.”
A second charity will also be announced shortly.
Councillor Peter Mason, leader of Ealing Council said: “I warmly welcome Councillor Tailor in his new role as Ealing’s first citizen.I know that he will carry out his duties with pride and dignity throughout the year and look forward to many occasions when we can come together and celebrate the achievements of the residents of Ealing.
“I would also like to thank Councillor Mohinder Midha for her service throughout her successful year as Mayor. She has been our rock through an eventful year that saw both Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee and, sadly, her funeral, as well as the coronation of King Charles III. Councillor Midha has always displayed her pride in Ealing’s communities, her resolve and she embodies the spirit of public service.”
Leader of Ealing Conservatives, Councillor Julian Gallant welcomes the new Mayor. He told EALING.NEWS: “With thanks to Councillor Mohinder Midha for her year as Mayor of Ealing, we now welcome Councillor Hitesh Tailor into the role as Ealing’s First Citizen.”
Councillor Gallant added: “Councillor Tailor is a caring East Acton ward councillor and he’s been focussed for many years on housing, rough sleeping and refugees. He is good at communicating with everyone, across the political spectrum. Councillor Tailor and Deputy Mayor Charan Sharma are going to work hard for the people of our Borough.”
Neil Reynolds, chair of Ealing Green Party also congratulated Councillor Tailor on becoming Mayor of Ealing. He told EALING.NEWS: “I would like to congratulate Hitesh on his appointment as Mayor. His long service on the Council is testament to his commitment to public service and he richly deserves the honour. I wish him well with his charity fundraising and ceremonial duties in the coming year.”
Speaking to EALING.NEWS, Councillor Gary Malcolm, leader of Ealing Liberal Democrats said: “I have known Councillor Tailor for over ten years and he has been active in working with lots of Acton-based community organisations and the Liberal Democrats think he will be an asset in raising money for local charitable causes.”
