NEW TOWN MAYOR AND DEPUTY MAYOR ELECTED AT ANNUAL COUNCIL MEETING

The Town Council held its Annual Town Meeting and Annual Council on Monday 11 May.  This Meeting marks the start of a new Municipal Year for the Council and welcomes a new Mayor and Deputy Mayor into office.

Before the new Mayor and Deputy Mayor were elected, the retiring Mayor, Cllr Beth Fisher, presented Awards of Merit to five worthy recipients – Alison Bourke, Brigid Brennan, Mark Deacon, Sue Hobley and Debbie Knight.  All of the winners had been nominated for their hard work and dedication in serving the town of Harpenden through community work, supporting the arts and fundraising.

The retiring Mayor also presented her charities, The Herts Domestic Abuse Helpline and The King’s Pantry Foodbank, with their final fundraising cheques.  The GIANT size of the cheques reflected the amazing five figure sum Cllr Fisher had raised during her Mayoral year!  

It was then time to elect the New Mayor and Deputy.  Cllr Kirsti Wenn was appointed Town Mayor and Cllr Beth Fisher, after giving a valedictory speech, took up the office of Deputy Mayor for the year.

Civic guests included David Williams DL for the Hertfordshire Lieutenancy, the Chairman of Hertfordshire County Council, the Deputy Mayor of St Albans, and the Deputy Mayors of Houghton Regis, Luton and Dunstable.

The office of Town Mayor of Harpenden is a dual role; the Mayor is both the First Citizen of Harpenden and Chairman of the Council. As First Citizen, the Mayor carries out civic and community duties such as laying a wreath for Remembrance Day and switching on Christmas lights, as well fundraising for two nominated charities.  As Chairman, the Mayor chairs Full Council.

The Mayor’s charities this year are Youth Talk and Herts Young Homeless, both of which do vital work counselling young people and preventing youth homelessness.

Cllr Wenn said:

"Being appointed Mayor of Harpenden is an incredible honour and a real privilege, and I deeply appreciate the trust placed in me to serve our community. I am looking forward to representing our town and working closely with the community over the coming year.  My particular focus this year is on building a better future for our young people, which is why I am so committed to raising as much money and awareness as possible for my two chosen charities, Youth Talk and Herts Young Homeless."