New mayor and deputy mayor for Bridgend county borough
Poster information
Posted on: Friday 16 October 2020
A new mayor of Bridgend County Borough Council has been elected at the local authority’s first remote annual meeting.
Councillor Ken Watts is now the new mayor with Councillor John Spanswick having been appointed as deputy mayor.
The annual meeting of council usually takes place in May but was delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Accepting the mayoral role at the meeting on September 30, Councillor Watts said he was proud and honoured to have been elected to the role.
My year in office, in fact one of only eight months, will be shorter than normal and clearly required to be conducted in a totally different way to that previously experienced by my predecessors.
Given the circumstances, of which we are all only too well aware, I shall endeavour to fulfil and promote the role and office of mayor to the best of my ability by supporting community events wherever and whenever possible whilst at all times keeping in mind the need for us all to stay safe during this dreadful pandemic.
With regard to the pandemic I believe it incumbent upon us all to set an example to our constituents not only by abiding by the rules and following advice but more importantly, by working together to provide the many services this local authority is bound to do.
Councillor Watts
Cllr Watts who was previously the deputy mayor, and his consort Cllr Julia Williams, have chosen to support two charities for the civic year - Parkinson’s UK and the Epilepsy Society.
Mrs Susan Spanswick was announced as Cllr Spanswick’s consort.
As well as chairing full meetings of council and representing the council and local community at formal and ceremonial occasions, the mayor acts as the borough’s ambassador at a range of events such as citizenship ceremonies for residents completing the process of becoming a British citizen and events for charitable/voluntary organisations.
The deputy mayor acts as the mayor’s representative at all events, including chairing council, if the mayor is unavailable.