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28
Apr 2021
Trevor Chapman elected as Harrogate district mayor
Liberal Democrat councillor Trevor Chapman has tonight been virtually voted in as the new Harrogate district mayor.
He takes over from Conservative councillor Stuart Martin, who held the role since 2019 and served an extended term due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Speaking at a virtual annual meeting tonight, cllr Chapman said:
Cllr Chapman, who represents the Bilton Grange ward, was chosen to take on the role in March last year before the handover was cancelled because of the pandemic.
It has meant cllr Martin has stayed in the post for an extra 12 months during the same year that his wife, mayoress April Martin, became critically ill with covid.
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After tonight’s meeting, councillor Martin said in a statement:
The role of the mayor is to chair full council meetings and represent the borough at ceremonies and events.
The mayor also raises money for charities and is required to put his or her political affiliations aside to be impartial.
Councillor Chapman has selected Supporting Older People, Citizens Advice and Friends of Harrogate Hospital as his chosen charities.
Christine Willoughby elected deputy mayor
Meanwhile, Liberal Democrat councillor Christine Willoughby, who represents Knaresborough Eastfield and served as mayor for the town, was also elected as deputy mayor for the Harrogate district at tonight’s meeting.
She takes over from Conservative councillor Zoe Metcalfe, who represents the Claro ward.
Conservative council leader Richard Cooper also announced at tonight’s meeting that no changes have been made to the cabinet, while a raft of committee chairs, vice-chairs and members were also voted in.
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