Welshpool Town Council has elected a new mayor for the next municipal year.

At the town’s annual full council meeting on Tuesday, May 16, Cllr Nick Howells was unanimously elected as the new mayor by the council.

Former mayor Cllr Allison Davies, handed over the reigns after completing her permitted two terms in office and opened her last meeting as mayor by moving onto the session’s main agenda item, selecting a new town mayor.

Cllr Phil Pritchard nominated Cllr Howells, a proposal that was seconded by councillors Estelle Bleivas and Geoffrey Lanagan.

The council unanimously voted in favour of the nomination and as a result Cllr Howells was named Welshpool’s new mayor.

OTHER NEWS:

Cllr Howells said: “I would like to say a huge thank you for the support and confidence the council has shown in me, and I swear I’ll give one hundred percent for the council and for the people of this town.

“I’m sure it will be challenging, as there’s a lot that needs doing, but I’m also looking forward to taking on the role and representing the town.

“My family goes back for many generations in this area and in Welshpool specifically, so there’s definitely a lot of pride in being able to speak for and represent the town and help it move forward in the coming year.”

Councillor Geoffrey Lanagan won a vote to become deputy mayor.

Cllr Howells then stepped up to chair the remainder of the meeting, his first as mayor, which covered items such as appointing councillors to the various committees of Welshpool Town Council, the schedule for upcoming meetings and reviewing upcoming town events such as the Mayor’s reception, civic service and town carnival.

The Town Council also addressed the vacancy left in the group by the resignation of Cllr Harry Evans and the ongoing advertisement for candidates to fill it.