Sharon Patrick declared new Speaker of Hackney

Ceremony: Newly elected speaker of Hackney councillor Sharon Patrick with Cllr Jessica Webb and Lt. Colonel Roderick Morriss at the Council’s annual general meeting. Photograph: Hackney Citizen

Sharon Patrick, Kings Park ward councillor has been announced as the new Speaker of Hackney.

The Speaker of Hackney Council is a serving councillor elected to the office for one year by fellow council members at their annual meeting. The Speaker’s role is to chair full council meetings, attend events, welcome visitors to Hackney and preside over citizenship ceremonies.

Patrick, who also held the post of Speaker in 2002, has lived on Clapton Park Estate for over 30 years. In her inaugural speech Patrick said she felt “privileged” to be elected and that outgoing speaker Cllr Michael Desmond will be a “hard act to follow”.

Mayor Jules Pipe praised the work of Cllr Desmond in raising £29,000 for his chosen charities and for attending an “absolutely outstanding” 324 events during his year in the role.

The three charities Cllr Patrick has chosen to focus on this year are the Laburnham Boat Club, a community-based boating project on the Regent’s Canal, the Alzeimers Society and The Sharp End (Seniors Heath and Active Retirement Project).

Deputy speaker Sade Etti and her daughter. Photograph: Hackney Citizen

Newly-elected Labour councillor for Clissold ward, Sade Etti, was named as the deputy speaker. Cllr Etti, a mother of four, is currently studying Oil and Gas Management.