New Lord Mayor and Sheriff of Nottingham take office

During a meeting of the full council, Coun Dave Trimble was named as the Lord Mayor for 2021-22 and Coun Merlita Bryan the new Sheriff.

They have replaced councillors Rosemary Healy and Patience Ifediora in their respective posts.

Coun Trimble has served on the council for more than 25 years, initially representing Park and then Dunkirk & Lenton, before his current ward of Lenton & Wollaton East.

Originally from Glasgow, he was the authority’s portfolio holder for housing and social services, before taking on the role of leisure and culture – a role he has stepped down from this week in order to become the new Lord Mayor.

Coun Bryan was born in Jamaica in and moved to Nottingham at the age of 11.

She has been a city councillor since 2007 and is proud of the diversity of people she represents across Arboretum & Hyson Green.

Coun Bryan, who has previously been Sheriff in 2012-13 and Lord Mayor in 2013-14, sits on the health scrutiny committee and before that was a member of the overview and scrutiny committee.

For the past year, she has been executive assistant for schools and Nottingham customer care.

Coun David Mellen, council leader, said: “I’d like to firstly thank councillors Healy and Ifediora for all their efforts over the past 12 months, which have been extremely difficult for everyone.

“I know it’s been a huge frustration for them both that they haven’t been able to get out and about to meet more people across the city because of the pandemic and subsequent national restrictions.

“However, I’m delighted that we have announced councillors Trimble and Bryan to these civic roles.

“Merlita brings a wealth of experience having served both positions previously, and I know how much enthusiasm and energy she will bring this year as Sheriff.

“The naming of Dave in the figurehead role of Lord Mayor is a well-deserved honour after close to 30 years of service and dedication to the people of Nottingham.

“It’s an incredible level of commitment and civic duty on his part."