Alton Town Council Elects New Mayor

At last evening’s Annual General Meeting, Alton Town Council met for the first time since the local elections on the 4th May.

Returning councillor Matthew Bayliss and new Councillor Ben Hamlin were both nominated for the role of Town Mayor, each returning five votes from the ten councillors present. Outgoing Mayor Ginny Boxall used her casting vote to “vote for change” supporting Councillor Hamlin, who was duly declared Mayor for the forthcoming municipal year (2023/24)

The Town Mayor named The Woodland Trust as his Mayoral Charity for the year.

The outgoing Mayor, Ginny Boxall handed the chain of office to Councillor Hamlin. She was then presented with a “Past Mayor’s” badge and a bouquet of flowers to thank her for her service to the Town.

Returning councillors Annette Eyre and Graham Hill were both nominated for the role of Deputy Mayor. Again, both councillors received five votes from their fellow councillors, thus requiring the new Mayor to use his casting vote to duly elect Councillor Eyre.

Councillor Hamlin said after the meeting:

“I have been elected Town Mayor with calls for change from all sides ringing in my ears. At the same time the town is looking for leadership through some difficult challenges that will require the Council to make effective and courageous decisions. With the help of Deputy Town Mayor Eyre, I will do all I can to pull us through, for the benefit of all Altonians”

The meeting also saw the co-option of three additional councillors where seats had remained vacant at the recent elections. The appointed councillors were as follows:

Amery Ward – Barbara Tansey

Ashdell Ward – Ellie Waple

Whitedown Ward – John Chubb

Councillor Eyre wished, on behalf of the council, to express her thanks to the candidates who were unsuccessful on the night, noting that they should not give up in their quest to become councillors when the opportunity next arose.

The Council, which includes nine new councillors, is currently undergoing training during the next few weeks and will convene on the 14th June for their first Full Council meeting.