This year’s Annual Meeting of the Town Council was held by way of an Internet application, enabling councillors to communicate from home. The main purpose was to appoint a new Chair for the Town Council, who will also carry out the duties as the Leek Town Mayor together with a Deputy Mayor.
Proposals for Cllr Stephen Wales as Mayor and Cllr Lyn Swindlehurst as Deputy Mayor were both passed unanimously.
Commenting on his appointment as Mayor, Cllr Wales thanked his fellow councillors and paid tribute to the outgoing Mayor, Cllr Sue Coleman, saying:
“My special thanks to retiring Mayor Sue Coleman who has demonstrated true integrity by nominating me here today.
This term of office comes at the most crucial time for our town as the wide-ranging effects of the Covid 19 crisis become more apparent.
It has been a very painful period in our history.
There is a challenge for everyone in the town – and its surrounding villages.
Our town – with its resilient and loyal townsfolk and its enterprising businesses – will bounce back.
We just all need to be thinking carefully just where we spend our money and how we can best support local businesses
The towns own motto ‘ARTE FAVENTE NIL DESPERANDUM‘ translates to
“Our skill assisting us, we have no cause for despair”
The crisis has brought out the very best of human nature – and here in Leek we have come together to help each other.
The cloud of Covid will lift and we will step back into a different world –
- it will be one where Leek can be proud of its neighbourly and caring spirit.
Thank you all once again – this is a great honour.