Councillor Paul Smith has been elected Mayor of Malmesbury for the 2021/2022 year, at the annual meeting of the new Council on May 20.

Councillor Kim Power was elected Deputy Mayor.

Mayor Smith said in his opening address: “I take this great privilege, responsibility and trust you have shown in me seriously. I commit to serving the people of Malmesbury and the council with enthusiasm and devotion to the best of my ability and offer my full support to our Acting Town Clerk, Claire Mann, and the full Town Council Team.”

He went on to thank Mayor Campbell Ritchie who took office in the first lockdown managing us through the last year magnificently.

“The future will be more of the same forward-thinking action to promote Malmesbury as a great place to live, work, and do business.

For our young people we hope it is a safe town where they can receive a good education.

As a community it’s important that we all work together to keep each other safe as restrictions are eased. We are all looking forward to Malmesbury returning to its’ vibrant best and seeing our town flourish.

"I am keen to continue being engaged with our local business and residents so will ensure that I put time into talking and listening to the views of our local community. These are the people who voted for us trusting us to make decisions about Malmesbury. We must however acknowledge that we cannot please everyone all the time”.

Mayor Smith congratulated Kim Power on becoming Deputy Mayor. Her great knowledge of the neighbourhood planning process will be most valuable in the forthcoming year.

The Mayoress is a new Town Councillor, Frances Smith, who decided to join Malmesbury Town Council to share her vast business and Human Resource skills. Frances will be a positive support for husband Paul over the next year.