THE mayor of Lyme Regis is hoping to continue his efforts to change the town’s perception of the council as he starts his second term of office.
Cllr Philip Evans took on the role of First Citizen part-way through the council year, stepping up from deputy mayor.
His fellow councillors have voted for him into office for a second year, which officially began on Wednesday 21 May with the traditional mayor-making ceremony at the Guildhall.
Cllr Evans will be supported once again by wife Jackie as mayoress, and by Cllr Michaela Ellis, who has also been honoured with a second term as deputy mayor, supported by husband Alan as deputy mayor’s consort.
Looking ahead to the new year in office, Cllr Evans said: “I am delighted that I have been given second year as mayor. Since taking over as First Citizen, I have striven to try and change the town’s perception of the council after a number of years of negative headlines caused by bad behaviour between members, which has blighted the many good initiatives we have implemented and completed such as the launch of the monthly LymeLiving magazine and the launch of Lyme Link, the new town bus.
"I have done this by meeting with as many of the townspeople as possible, by holding monthly surgeries in the Mayor’s Parlour in the Guildhall and hosting a number of mayoral receptions for various groups, as well as meeting with as many organisations as possible.
“A second year in office gives me the opportunity of continuing this work, aided by a distinct improvement in the behaviour of members, which is helping to improve our reputation as a responsible authority committed to doing our best for residents and visitors alike."
