Debby Robinson, town councillor for Ventnor West was elected Mayor of Ventnor at last night’s Annual Town Meeting.
Upon receiving the mayoral chain and signing the necessaries, Mayor Robinson gave a short speech to those remaining at the meeting.
Praise for departing Mayor
Mayor Robinson started her address by thanking Cllr Chris Welsford.
“Firstly, of course, my thanks to my colleagues for their vote of confidence. The biggest thanks though go to Chris Welsford for getting us through what must rate as the most difficult year in the Ventnor Town Council’s history.
“It’s because of his actions that we can now move forward from the unfortunate practices of the past and, despite a few errors with technicalities, with the help of our extremely able Town Clerk, get on with the business of being a Town Council which acts properly, within the law, to ensure the best outcomes for the town.”
Bonney for Deputy Mayor
Cllr Chris Bonney, councillor for St Lawrence was elected as Deputy Mayor.
Reduction in Mayoral allowance
When the subject of setting the Mayoral allowance was raised, Cllr Stubbings suggested that it be reduced from £1,200 to £600 as a gesture to show Ventnorians that the VTC was serious in their intention to reduce substantive costs (including the running of the Winter Gardens).
He pointed out that the precedent had been set last year by Cllr Welsford who’d returned £600 from his £1,200 Mayoral Allowance.
Mayor Robinson concurred with the proposal and it was agreed to reduce the Mayor’s annual allowance to £600.
