Cllr Steven Webb handed back his civic robes and chain on Monday and stepped down as Mayor of Truro after serving two consecutive years in office. 

During Steven’s tenure, the city council has achieved many things, from progressing the regeneration of Pydar Street and the development of the Town Deal projects to organising Warm Welcome events to help people struggling with the cost-of-living crisis, providing a new anti-social behaviour officer for the city and finalising the revised Truro and Kenwyn Neighbourhood Development Plan.

“These are not my achievements” he said. “It has always been a real team effort – councillors, city council staff, partners, businesses and the local community working together to benefit everyone.” 

And as the city’s civic leader, Steven played a key role in a number of historic moments significant national events, such as the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and funeral, and the proclamation and coronation of the new King. 

“It is always a privilege to represent the city at civic events, large and small, and it was an incredible honour to be asked to read the proclamation,” he said. 

He paid tribute to all those who have supported him in the role – especially his daughter Kember as Mayoress – and to Truro City Council staff. 

“From the teams responsible for maintaining our parks, gardens and cemeteries to the staff supporting local communities, running the library and and working behind the scenes to keep the council running – all led by our fantastic clerk – they are an incredible group of people who I have enjoyed working with.”

Steven had been a member of Truro City Council for just four years when he was elected as mayor in 2021, and admits to feeling “imposter syndrome”. 

“You look at the huge figures of the previous mayors whose names are in plaques on buildings around the city, and suddenly realise that you are in that role now,” he recalls. 

“I spent the first six months looking for a manual on how to be a mayor – only to find there wasn’t’ one and I had to work it out for myself.”

He quickly decided his motto would be to ensure that no-one was left out, and to work with others – including Cornwall Council and Truro Business Improvement District (BID) – to deliver effective solutions to problems which met the needs of the whole community. He enjoyed meeting with local charities and voluntary groups, such as Truro Homeless Action Group, St Petroc’s and Truro Foodbank, and talking to residents – but will not miss other aspects of the job, in particular chairing full council meetings. 

“A good chairperson makes it look so easy,” he said. “People says I am always very calm when I chair meetings, but that is certainly not how I feel. In my head, I am a terrified seven-year-old who is waiting to be found out!”

Traditionally the role of mayor means stepping back from party politics, being impartial when chairing debates and making decisions, and then carrying out the will of the council. 

While Steven is clear that this enables one to focus on delivering for the whole city rather than following a particular political line, he looks forward to a return to expressing his own personal views. 

“For example, I felt that having a mayor to provide a single, strong voice for Cornwall would be a good thing, but when the council voted to oppose the proposal, I was not able to speak in favour of the idea. 

“Stepping down as mayor will enable me to speak more freely about issues I feel strongly about.”