Mayor Of Newcastle

Meet the new mayor in town

The new mayor of Newcastle Borough Council is councillor Gill Burnett.

Having worked as acarer for the past 30 years, the motherofone and grandmother of three is dedicatingher first time as first citizen of the borough to lifting residents’ spirits post pandemic and raising money for two worthwhile causes.

The Kidsgrove and Ravenscliffe councillor, who is starting her third term at Newcastleunder-Lyme Borough Council, is focusingon injecting asense of fun during the next year and is already planning fund-raising events such as a1940s night and 1920s ball/casino in aid of the Tri Services and Veterans Support Centre and Home Start Newcastle.

The support centre, based in Newcastle, is creating arural retreat in MowCop for exservice personnel, their families and the community. ‘Operation R& R’ includes plans for four eco-friendly cabins and activities such as archery, bushcraft, bee-keeping and Tai Chi. Meanwhile, Home Start works alongside families experiencing anumber of challenges including children’s health, well-being and development; isolation, home environment and financial worries.

As well as being aborough, county and town councillor, the Mayor is alsoamember of Kidsgrove’s Town Deal Board –which has secured £16.9 million of investment forthe town –atrustee of Kidsgrove sports centre and treasurer of theNorth Staffs 1940s Association.

During her spare time, the Mayor’s hobbies includewalking along the town’s canals and spending time in local green spaces. She is also looking forward to marrying her fiancé, and Consort, David Faulkner in April 2023.

Gill said: “I’ve lived in asmall conservation area in Kidsgrove for more than 40 years and can’t express what afantastic area it is. “My life as acouncillor started 22 years ago when there were planstoinstall aphone mast outside of my house. Ilaunched acampaign and as aresultthe mast was moved to abetter location at the workingmen’sclub and the owners received compensation to refurbish the building. It was awin-win situation for everyone. “I’m expecting thenext year to be really busy. I’ve got lots of ideas. I’m looking forward to raising the profile of Newcastle-under-Lyme, getting out and meeting new people, bringing togetherthe community and hopefully having some fun along the way. Many people have been quite isolatedfor thepast two and ahalf years so Iwanttodomybesttohelp change that.”

Records show that there has been amayor in Newcastlesince 1318.

As well as being aceremonial role today, the Mayor chairs all meetings of the Full Council and holds the casting vote.

Gill was made mayor after Newcastle Borough’s Council’s new municipal year began in May.

Newcastle-under-Lyme’s Annual Council meeting took place withmostofthe 44 elected members in attendance in person. This hailed a return, for the first time since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, to the Astley and Garden rooms at Castle House.

The Conservative Party is in majority control at the council and is being ledonceagain by councillor Simon Tagg.

Having laid out his Cabinet’s priorities for the next four-year term,cllr Tagg said: “People across the borough have entrusted us with the stewardship of the councilfor the next four years. “Following four years of improvement at the councilunder my previous administration,we have asolid base from which to start. Iintend to carry on that work and deliver on ourpromisesto the electorate.”

Cllr Tagg confirmed councillor Stephen Sweeney as deputy leader and appointed his new Cabinet portfolio responsibilitiesasfollows: One Council, People and Partnerships: cllr Simon Tagg; Environment and Recycling: cllr Trevor Johnson; Finance, Town Centres and Growth: cllr Stephen Sweeney; Leisure, Culture and Heritage: cllrJill Waring; Community Safety and Wellbeing: cllrGill Heesom; Strategic Planning: cllr Andrew Fear.

The Annual Council, which is the inaugural meeting of the municipal year, also saw other key appointments for the next year and beyond announced, including committee appointments and the announcement of the new Mayor.

Cllr Andrew Parker is chair of the licensing committee,and cllr Joan Whieldon vice-chair, while cllr Paul Northcott is chair of the planning committeewith cllr Mick Crisp as vice-chair. Cllr Paul Waring was announced chair of the audit and standards committee with cllr Barry Panter as vice-chair.

Retiring Mayor, cllr KenOwen, handed over the chains of office to incoming Mayor and longserving councillor, Gill Burnett.

During his year in office, Cllr Owen raised more than £4,000 for his chosen local charities Tri-Services and Royal British Legion.

The new Mayor announced her partner David Faulkner as Consort and Chris Faulkner, as High Constable.Katie Shaw willbethe Mayor’s Cadet. Cllr Simon White was elected DeputyMayor.