Cllr Lara Rowe was elected unopposed as his deputy – replacing Graham Godbeer who said he was not prepared to accept Cllr John Jeffery’s nomination to serve a second term.

Councillor Hayward takes over the role from the council’s longest-serving member, Councillor Douglas Hull.

Councillor Hull was nominated to serve another year by his deputy, Councillor Graham Godbeer, seconded by Councillor Andrew Moulding who pointed out that it was tradition for mayors to serve two years and said Councillor Hull should be offered his second year.

However, Councillor Jeremy Walden nominated Councillor Hayward for the position, seconded by Councillor Carol Doherty.

Members then carried out an anonymous ballot and Councillor Hayward was announced as the new mayor.

He then received the mayoral chains from Councillor Hull, who commented: “Thank you to all those who supported me. I now have time to do lots of other things and will enjoy my future time on the town council.”

Councillor John Jeffery said that the town owed “a great deal of gratitude” to Councillor Hull and his wife, fellow councillor Joy Hull, for their long service.

“Time moves on and it’s sad to see Councillor Hull go from the top stop, but he’s still got lots of good work to do on the council,” he added.

“We now move to a new generation with younger people with lots of new ideas, but we owe Douglas and Joy a great deal of gratitude.”

Councillor Hayward thanked Councillor Jeffery for his comments, saying he “wholeheartedly agreed”.

Nominations were then taken for deputy mayor with Councillor Jeffery nominating existing deputy mayor, Councillor Godbeer. However, Councillor Godbeer said he was not prepared to accept his nomination.

Councillor Lara Rowe was then nominated by Councillor Walden, and with no other nominations was elected.

Councillor Hayward thanked Councillor Godbeer for his tenure as deputy mayor and said he hoped he could call on him and Councillor Hull for advice during his first term.

Open and transparent

Speaking later in the meeting during the town forum, the new mayor was questioned over the council and Guildhall’s finances and administration by a resident, and said it was his “heartfelt promise” to be as open and transparent as possible.

“I won’t say there will be changes, but there will be progress,” he added.

Councillor Mervyn Symes added: “We hope that it will be more transparent and that we will know what’s going on in that council office rather than not knowing.”

Councillor Hull asked Councillor Symes to give an example of what he was referring to, adding that he had made a “slanderous comment”.

Councillors Symes replied: “It was not a slanderous comment. We don’t all know what is going on in the office.”

Councillor Hayward said that all councillors were equal and no one councillor should have more power than others.

He added: “All councillors need to be fully aware of all decisions and discussions. Without that information we are acting blind which is not constitutionally correct.

“I will be working with our administrative staff to ensure all members have the information they need to do their job legally and to the satisfaction of the public.”

Resignation

It was also announced at the meeting that Councillor Joy Raymond had tendered her resignation.

Councillor Hayward said that Councillor Raymond had announced her resignation that morning, adding to the vacancy already caused by the recent resignation of Chris Tipping.

He said that due process would be followed to fill the two vacancies and urged people to step forward for by-election, asking: “What can you do for your town?”