Maldon appoints first openly gay mayor and consort in historic ceremony

Civic pride - Sergeant-at-Mace John Clarke, Mayor's Consort Paul Burrell-Cook, Mayor James Burrell-Cook, Deputy Mayor Carlie Mayes and Deputy Mayor's Consort Glenn Mayes (Credit: Ben Shahrabi)

MALDON has appointed its first openly-gay mayor, in more than 300 years of the role.

Councillor James Burrell-Cook and his husband, Paul Burrell-Cook, have become the first publicly gay couple to serve as the Town Mayor of Maldon and the Mayor’s Consort.

Mr Burrell-Cook described his appointment as “an honour”.

“I’m here to serve the town, with all its communities and residents,” he said.

“Regardless of who I am, myself and [my husband] Paul are there for the people of Maldon.”

The pair will be supported by Councillor Carlie Mayes, who was appointed Deputy Mayor of Maldon, and her husband Glenn Mayes, the Deputy Mayor’s Consort.

They were formally appointed for the civic year 2026-27 in a ceremony at Maldon Town Hall last night (May 26).

Proud - Paul Burrell-Cook will support husband James in his role as Mayor of Maldon. (Credit: Ben Shahrabi)

Mr Burrell-Cook served as Deputy Mayor to Councillor John Driver during the previous civic year.

Alongside his duties at Maldon Town Council, Mr Burrell-Cook leads a number of working groups and committees throughout the district. This includes representing the Maldon North ward on Maldon District Council.

He and husband Paul Burrell-Cook, who he married at Maldon’s historic Moot Hall in 2019, also run the Queen Victoria pub in Spital Road.

“My priorities for this year are to lead by example and have all residents’ concerns met,” he added.

“We will work together as a council to resolve as many issues as possible, to make Maldon an even more magical place to live.”

Mayor and Deputy Mayor - councillors James Burrell-Cook and Carlie Mayes. (Credit: Ben Shahrabi)

In her capacity as Deputy Town Mayor, Carlie Mayes was automatically appointed as chair of the town council’s staffing committee, making her responsible personnel and recruitment.

Mrs Mayes told Caroline Coastal: “I’m very honoured, and very surprised, to be appointed Deputy Mayor.

“Working alongside James is going to be an absolute blast.”

Appreciation - Cllr Burrell-Cook thanked the retiring mayor and mayoress. (Credit: Ben Shahrabi)

Retiring Mayor Councillor John Driver presented his final report at the ceremony.

Mr Driver thanked his former deputy, councillors, his wife Denise, and the team at Maldon Town Hall for their support.

“It really has been an enormous privilege to meet so many great people in the town,” he told attendees.

“My wife and I fell in love with the town when we moved here in 2011, and that love story continues.”

The role of Mayor of Maldon dates back to around 1687, when the mayoral charter temporarily replaced the town’s ancient bailiff governance system. However, the current role of mayor as an elected civic position was established in 1874.