Taunton has New Mayor

Taunton Deane Borough Council elected their 128th Mayor at the annual council meeting on Thursday evening, held at the Taunton Rugby Club. Councillor Steve Brooks and wife Di are the new first couple in the Deane.Cllr Terence Hall is the new Deputy Mayor; the vote was unanimous for both appointments.

Cllr Coles who was the proposer for the new mayor, spoke of Cllr  Brooks' upbringing; an adopted child whose loving parents instilled good values in this down to earth gentleman ,a staunch Christian, very much a part of the Halcon District he loves. How back trouble caused him to be laid off from work more than once,giving him an insight and empathy to the troubles of many of his electorate.

Councillors from each political direction welcomed their new Mayor,all agreeing that Cllr Brooks had earned the honour of Mayor of Taunton Deane,both for his personal difficulties and work for others. In particular they praised his work as the Deputy Mayor over the last year when he had the honour of going in the Mayors place to the repatriations in Wootton Bassett,representing Taunton's support for the troops, and particularly 40 Commando and the families who grieved locally.

The past Mayor, Cllr Jefferson  Horsley said :"Steve is going to do us duly proud." He is still on the council but his wife Freny,who does many charitable deeds but much prefers to remain in the shadows,said she was looking forward to a holiday and going back to a quieter life.

Mayor Brooks said he was very humbled by the compliments paid to him ,he said :" I look forward,if asked,to meet with the business people of Taunton.It is vital we do all we can to attract employers and encourage new businesses into the Deane; we have made a good start with Project Taunton.

" I promise to listen and share with other councillors and I am charging the new councillors to set up local action teams and community groups. It's not that hard and if I can do it in Halcon,anyone can. It's not an easy area to work in and I love it.

"Myself and Diana will work hard to the best of our ability, for all of you."

The two charities chosen by the new Mayor of Taunton Deane, are the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulancee and the Friends of Musgrove Park Hospital.

representations were made by both charities while the Mayoral party withdrew for the robing.

Chief Executive for the air ambulance, Bill Sivewright explained that they have to raise £3,800 PER DAY to keep the vital service in the air. The government pay the basic wage for the two paramedics but not for the extra training they need or the equipment and helicopter.

Councillor Brooks said he chose this charity because of their vital life saving work and because he personally knew someone who would not be alive today without them.

He said we all owed a great debt of gratitude to the Friends of Musgrove who have helped to make it one of the best hospitals in the country .