THE Mayor of Calne will continue in his role until May 2021 due to the outbreak of coronavirus.

Calne Town Council has agreed that Cllr Robert Merrick would continue as mayor, with Cllr Richard Jones as his deputy for another 12 months.

This is the first time since World War Two that a mayor in Calne has stood for two concurrent terms.

Likewise, it was agreed that the chairmen of the committees would also stay in their roles until the next annual meeting on the recommendations of the officers.

The man who was due to become the next mayor, Cllr Jones, with Cllr Howard Marshall as his deputy, but will not take office until next year to “give them a fair crack at the whip”.

Cllr Merrick said: “It was put forward at the meeting for myself and Cllr Jones to stay on for continuity, which I felt very strongly on.

“No-one has any idea when we’re coming out of lockdown or what’s going to happen next week.

“And I want the same for Cllr Jones and Cllr Marshall that every other mayor has had.”

The original motion put forward by officers to the May 4 meeting was to review the situation in September, but Cllr Glenis Ansell raised the new motion to give town more of a commitment.

Cllr Merrick added: “I’ve had a lot of support from residents, glad to see I’m staying on for another 12 months to see the town through this crisis.

“Why not have some assurance that your Mayor’s going to be in place for 12 months?”