Tewkesbury Borough Council has welcomed a new Mayor for 2023/24.
Councillor Ian Yates was invested as Mayor of Tewkesbury Borough at a ceremony held at Tewkesbury Abbey on Tuesday, 16 May 2023.
More than one hundred guests welcomed the new Mayor at the ceremony, which included musical performances by students from Tewkesbury School.
The Mayor is the first citizen of the borough and members of the council nominate a councillor each year to take on the role. The Mayor chairs council meetings, represents the council at civic events and attends community engagements throughout the year.
Ian named his wife, Christine, as his Mayoress. He did not appoint a chaplain since he is a Methodist Minister and intends to ask several of his colleagues to support him when required.
Ian lives in Churchdown and represents the Churchdown Brookfield with Hucclecote ward on the borough council.
Ian, who was newly elected to the council on 4 May, said: “I am profoundly honoured to be elected as Mayor of Tewkesbury Borough.
“I promise to do all I can to live up to the trust that has been placed in me, and I will work as hard as I can in service to the borough.”
Ian expressed his great sadness for anyone going hungry, especially children, and pledged that his charity funds would be used to support foodbanks across the borough.
The appointment of a Deputy Mayor was adjourned until the next council meeting in June.
