Bollington's New Mayor and Deputy Mayor appointed and reveal town ambitions
By Alex Greensmith
3rd May 2022 | Local News
Bollington has a new Mayor and Deputy Mayor, after a Mayor Making ceremony at Bollington Civic Hall on Tuesday.
Cllr John Stewart - who was Deputy Mayor for the 2021-22 term, and Mayor in 2020-21, will become Mayor for a second time until May 2023.
The engineer company CEO has lived in Bollington since 2001, and has three sons. Cllr Stewart has sat on the Town Council for three years.
Bollington Town Councillor Angela Williams proposed Cllr Stewart to serve as Bollington's next Mayor.
"I strongly recommend him as our Mayor for our first year where we are accountable for our corporate plan", she said.
"He is very active in the community especially the pubs, and is a treasurer of Ruby's Fund, [a Congleton based charity for SEND children]."
Cllr Ken Edwards seconded the motion, praising Cllr Stewart's adversity and leadership when he first was Bollington's Mayor at the start of the pandemic.
Speaking after he was put on the Mayoral chain, Cllr Stewart gave a rousing speech.
"I have very strong values, based on the need to 'do the right thing'," he said.
"I believe that good health, education and security (at work, home and community) are the fundamental foundations on which a sustainable society is built.
"We have such a great community in Bollington, and I am proud to be a part of it.
"To serve our town and be in tune with the needs of our community, is something I am keen to promote.
"I care passionately about the environment and want to preserve our great outdoors.
"I would like to look at practical carbon reduction projects to reach our Bollington 2030 carbon neutral aspirations, and extend Bollington in Bloom.
"I'd also like to see more public attendance at council meetings and civil events, as well as more face-to-face meetings between Council Members and the people they represent.
"I am confident that the Council will do the right thing and continue to support our community, to help it through this challenging period."
Cllr Helen Ellwood - the most recently elected Bollington Town Councillor - will serve the upcoming year as Deputy Mayor.
Also a local businessperson, the landlady at The Poachers Inn on Ingersley Road has been a councillor since May 2021.
Cllr Roland Edwards complimented Cllr Ellwood as she was handed the Deputy Mayor's chain.
"It is an honour and a great pleasure to propose Cllr Helen Ellwood as Deputy Mayor," he said.
"I've known Helen for 11 years. And she is a thoughtful, through and diligent councillor who has shown political skill both in public and council
"She is honest, courteous and a true team player, who keeps her colleagues fully informed of her actions.
"Her ability to control meetings are further indication that she will make a great Deputy Mayor, and for year after [2023-24], a great town mayor."
Cllr Mark Fearn also commended Cllr Ellwood's support for charity and her work for the Royal British Legion, qualities which he believed appropriate for a Deputy Mayor.
Cllr Stewart and Ellwood will spearhead the recently developed corporate plan for the Happy Valley.
30 people witnessed the Mayor Making, which also saw outgoing 2021-22 Mayor Jo Maitland return to being a Councillor.
"My term as Mayor has gone quickly," said Cllr Jo Maitland.
"After the start of a global pandemic, I was hoping for a normal year, but COVID had other ideas."
"We continued on with strength and stoicism, and our town has been incredible resilient through this period of history," added Jo.
But there was still plenty to be grateful for the East Ward Councillor as she left her post as Bollington's Mayor.
In Jo's term, she launched a printed newsletter, kept information up to date on all five community noticeboards, and brought the Town Council website into the 2020s.
Jo also reaffirmed Bollington's commitment to be 'a carbon zero town by 2030' in her closing speech.
"To achieve this we need to bring the town with us on this journey," she added.
"It was an honour to open the four new EV [electric vehicle] charging points at Pool Bank carpark.
"And I will particularly miss the birthday senior care visits. A real highlight was attending Ingersley Vale care home, which I loved visiting on Christmas Day.
"For 2022-23 council, there will be several exciting projects thanks to the newly-developed corporate plan.
"It will be wonderful to work towards the needs and values of a caring town and a growing town.
"As your council we will argue your voice, and continue to grow as needed."
17-year-old Toby Joe Platt became the Mayor's Youth Consort this year. Bollington Reverend Nancy Goodrich also received a special title for the forthcoming year.
Mayor Cllr Stewart and Deputy Mayor Cllr Ellwood's terms as the ceremonial representatives for the town of Bollington are effective immediately.
The new Mayor and Deputy Mayor are both Bollington East Ward Councillors.
Bollington Town Council has existed since 1974, and has twelve councillors spread across three wards.
Town Councils deal with anything from community allotments, events and matters regarding Bollington Civic Hall.
They also support local charities like The Bridgend Centre, the Town Council donated £15,000 last year to good causes across the wider Macclesfield area, and hope to do so again this year.
Bollington Residents can find who their Town Councillors are here.
Macclesfield Town Council's Mayor Making Ceremony will follow on May 16, for which Macclesfield Nub News will also cover.
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