COUNCILLOR Mike Sutton was sworn in as the new mayor of Westbury alongside the new deputy mayor, cllr Jane Russ, at the annual town council meeting on Tuesday 9th May.
At the meeting, cllr Sutton, who was last year’s deputy mayor, took the time to thank the out-going mayor, cllr Sheila Kimmins, who spent the last two years as mayor.
“I’d like to sincerely thank cllr Kimmins for all the work that she has done in her time as mayor – I don’t think anything I could say would cover everything she has done,” said cllr Sutton. “She has treated all of us with kindness and consideration even in tough times.
“I can sum up her commitment to this town with the recent showing of the coronation in Soisy Gardens, as although the rain was hammering, Sheila was there to make sure the event went smoothly and made sure that those that attended had a great time. Thank you, Sheila, for everything that you have done, and we look forward to your guidance from the sidelines in the future.”
Cllr Sutton’s chosen charity for this year is the Westbury Area Network (WAN) who run both the community fridge and the town’s food bank. Cllr Sutton said, “One of the best parts of being mayor is to do one’s best for the local community and one of the worst is turning down all the pleas to make their cause the mayor’s charity.
“I have had six requests but in these difficult times I have taken the rare step of continuing with the WAN for the coming year. All the applicants had good cause that would be great, but the WAN is available to everyone so can reach the most.
“Although government make continuous noise about the economy improving all around, many people are suffering hardship and the food bank now serves many people in work.”
The mayoral duties include being chairman of the town council, attending civic events, raising the profile of the local community and the town council and promoting public involvement in the town council’s activities.
If you would like to invite cllr Sutton to an event, you can write to him via the mayor’s secretary, Westbury Town Council, The Laverton, Bratton Road, Westbury, Wiltshire, BA13 3EN or e-mail the mayor’s secretary, Sarah Barker at customercare@westburytowncouncil.gov.uk
