Witney Town Council re-elects mayor for second term

Joy Aitman was re-elected as mayor of Witney at a town council meeting last week.

Her deputy, Liz Duncan, and both the leader (Luci Ashbourne) and deputy leader (Vicky Gwatkin) were also re-elected to serve for a second year.

Usually, mayors serve for one year, however Witney Town Council has decided to allow a second term of office, given the inpact of the coronavirus pandemic on the first year.

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Mrs Aitman said: “I am absolutely delighted to be elected to a second term as mayor of Witney, along with my deputy, Liz Duncan.

“Last year, most of our work was on Zoom or small Covid-secure visits.

“This year, we hope to be back out amongst the community, throwing ourselves into working alongside various projects in the town, and raising funds for our amazing charities.

“We will be striving to reunite the residents of Witney and continue to support those most affected by the crisis.

“Please do contact us if you would like a visit or have any suggestions.”

Witney mayor Joy Aitman. Picture: Witney Town Council

Mrs Aitman was elected as mayor in a historic first for the council last year.

The meeting, held on May 13 last year, was the first virtual one the council had taken part in.

Mrs Aitman had previously served as deputy mayor the previous year.

The mayor of Witney is elected after a majority vote of councillors annually at the beginning of May at the town council’s ‘annual meeting’.

That phrase does not mean the council meets on an annual basis, with meetings throughout the year taking place for various committees including climate, biodiversity and planning, and policy, governance and finance.

These meetings have taken place virtually this year.

The town mayor is the elected representative of the council who leads civic engagements and attends public events in the town.