The towns of Stroud and Stonehouse have created history by simultaneously electing Green Party mayors for the first time. Councillor Stella Parkes secured the unanimous support of the Stroud Town Council, while Councillor Carol Kambites emerged victorious from the Stonehouse Town Council election.
The mayoral appointments took place during the annual meetings of their respective councils on May 15, marking a significant milestone for the Green Party in the region.
This marks Councillor Parkes’ second term as mayor, having previously represented the Stroud Central ward. Notably, she took up the mantle last year when the esteemed Councillor Kevin Cranston, who had served as the Green mayor for seven consecutive years and a total of ten years, decided to step down.
Born and raised in Stroud, Councillor Parkes attended Stroud High School and has been a councillor since 2020. She currently holds the position of deputy chair of the regeneration committee and contributes to the consultation and highways and finance and policy committees. Additionally, she served as the chair of Trustees at Stroud Valleys Project and played a role in establishing the SVP eco shop.
In Stonehouse, Councillor Kambites assumes the role of the town’s first-ever Green mayor after serving as the deputy mayor for four years and 12 years of experience serving Stonehouse Town Council. Councillor Kambites, a retired teacher and research fellow, is on the town business committee, town environment committee, and several working groups. She also holds the position of chair of the Stonehouse Community Climate Action Forum and Stroud Valleys Cycle Campaign.
Expressing her gratitude, Mayor Parkes said: “I want to thank the Stroud town councillors for voting me back for a second term as mayor. It is a great honour to represent the town. I look forward to helping to create a thriving and sustainable community and a place that residents are proud to call home.”
Mayor Kambites said: “I’m honoured and delighted to have been elected mayor. Stonehouse Town Council has a lot of exciting projects in progress and in the pipeline. I’m looking forward to working with my fellow councillors and the people of Stonehouse to tackle the twin emergencies of climate change and the cost of living – and to make our town an even better place to live, work, and play.”