A MAYOR and their deputy will serve second consecutive years in office as unprecedented times force a first for the town.

Cllr Ellie Chard was due to hand over the mayoral reins to deputy cllr Diane King at an annual general meeting of Rhyl Town Council planned for Friday, May 22.

It will be the first time in the town council’s history that a mayor and a deputy mayor have served two consecutive full terms and has been decided in line with Welsh Government legislation to help town councils adjust to the pandemic.

Cllr Ellie Chard said: “I considered it an honour to be elected as mayor in 2019, to serve and work for the people of Rhyl and feel the same about the year ahead “Many people, especially those on the front line and providing key services, need our support, now more than ever, and as a council we are committed to doing what we can to help the people of Rhyl. It will be some time before council business can be conducted in the normal way, so I am happy to continue and thank cllr King for her understanding and agreement on the way forward.”

Town clerk Gareth Nickels said: “Like most organisations, we find ourselves in unprecedented times with a unique set of challenges. It will be some time before council can meet in the same way as it has previously. And, whilst council business continues and the people of Rhyl continue to be served, we could have been looking at a position where a new mayor would serve a much shorter term than usual given it is more difficult to hold an annual general meeting.

“Cllr King will now be able to serve her full mayoral year in 2021.”

The decision will be formally ratified when the council is able to hold its annual meeting later in the year, and Town Clerk Gareth Nickels hailed both the mayor and her deputy for having “written themselves into the history books”.

Rhyl Journal:

Abergele mayor cllr Shirley Jones-Roberts

Similarly in Abergele, an extension has been granted to current mayor cllr Shirley Jones-Roberts will remain in the seat until October 22, with Pensarn councillor Alan Hunter nominated from that date following a review of safety conditions.

Cllr Jones-Roberts said: “At Abergele it has been decided that I will continue as Mayor until October, as our Annual General Meeting has been deferred until that date. We hope that a face to face meeting can then be held.

“The last year as Mayor has been a truly wonderful experience and I now look forward to continuing to serve the residents of our community as mayor for this extended period.”

Rhyl Journal:

Towyn and Kinmel Bay's incoming mayor cllr David Johnson

In Towyn and Kinmel Bay the town council have decided to stick to the schedule, with outgoing mayor cllr Morris Jones passing on the chains of office to Towyn councillor David Johnson tomorrow ( Wednesday).

Cllr Johnson said: “During my year in office I feel confident the council will support me in our ongoing improvement programme in both Towyn and Kinmel Bay and support for our schools, charities and community facilities.

“I am however very aware of the consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic which will undoubtedly cause serious problems both financially and socially to the communities.

“With this in mind I intend to build up sufficient financial reserves to enable us to assist whenever possible and to prioritise these over any other grants and improvements.”