Portishead to have its own mayor?

 

 

 

PORTISHEAD could have its own mayor - as part of a drive to put the growing town on the civic map.

Portishead Councillor Reyna Knight has suggested that the role of mayor should be introduced from this March.

A recommendation has been put to the town council and is due to be discussed at a meeting next week.

If councillors appoint a mayor, the role would replace that of the current town council chairman.

Currently the town council chairman takes on the civic duties, attending ceremonies and events in other parts of the district.

The chairman also has the responsibility for leading the monthly town council meetings and has an extra casting vote to be used if necessary during discussions.

A special allowance of £1500 is allocated from town council budgets for the chairman to spend as he or she sees fit - whether it is holding civic functions, travelling expenses or for making charitable donations.

All these duties would remain part of the role should a change to create a mayor's position be agreed.

The only other town in North Somerset to have a mayor is Weston-super-Mare.

Councillor Reyna Knight, who is currently vice chairman of the town council and is poised to take over as chairman in May, said: "Portishead is growing at a very fast rate and is now the second largest town in North Somerset apart from Weston-super-Mare.

"I think that if Weston-super-Mare can have its own mayor, then why can't Portishead?

"I think by Portishead having its own mayor, it would really raise the profile of the town and give it a higher status.

"The mayor would have the same duties as the town council chairman and there would not be any extra financial burden on the tax payer."

Portishead's current population is around 22,000, but this expected to grow to 30,000 by the time all the new developments are complete.

Over the past few years the town has seen thousands of new homes spring up as well as scores of new businesses.

Current Portishead Town Council chairman, Councillor David Pasley, who is due to hand over his chains of office in May, welcomed the idea of the town having its own mayor.

Mr Pasley said: "I think Portishead deserves the prestige of having its own mayor.

"I often get introduced as the mayor of Portishead at civic functions and I think there is some confusion among residents about the role of the town council chairman.

"Young people have come up to me when I am wearing the chains of office and asked me if I am the mayor and then I have to explain about the role of the chairman to them.

"A mayor for Portishead would act as a real ambassador for the town."