New mayor of Lancaster elected

Hundreds of years of tradition entered the modern age on Monday evening when the new mayor of Lancaster was officially installed during an online virtual ceremony.
Coun Malcolm Thomas.Coun Malcolm Thomas.
Coun Malcolm Thomas.

Coun Malcolm Thomas, a retired headteacher, was elected mayor at the city council’s annual council meeting.

Coun Thomas has been a Conservative councillor since 2003, when he was elected to the Slyne-with-Hest ward, which later became the Bolton and Slyne ward.

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Born in York, he lived there until moving to attend Manchester University where he studied economics and government. He became a teacher of economics in a secondary school in Sheffield, where he met his wife Tricia.

Coun Thomas was deputy head in a large school in north east Lincolnshire until he was appointed head of Heysham High school in 1983.

He has lived in Slyne for the last 36 years and has two daughters, Helen and Sarah, plus grandchildren.

Coun Thomas said: “In these challenging times the neighbourhood spirit of the people of our district community has been fantastic.

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“The officers and members of the council have readily adopted their work to meet the needs of the people of this district to deal with the coronavirus emergency.

“As mayor of this city I will do all in my power to support the many causes which are proving to be so important to the district in helping us all through this crisis and building towards better times in the future.”

As a result of the current situation, Coun Thomas will be raising money in support of Bay Hospitals Charity for the Royal Lancaster Infirmary, University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust, and also continuing the work of last year’s mayor, Coun David Whitaker, supporting Defying Dementia.

Coun Joan Jackson of Caton was elected deputy mayor to take over from Coun Alan Biddulph of Heysham.

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Receiving thanks for his service, Coun Whitaker said he had found it humbling to meet people working tirelessly for their communities in the district.

Referring to the pandemic, he said: “It is heartbreaking to finish the mayoral year in such tragic circumstances.”

Committee chairmen were also appointed for the year ahead.

An attempt by a new five-strong group of independent councillors to dislodge Morecambe Bay Independent Coun Tricia Heath as chairman of overview and scrutiny failed.

Her challenger was Coun Merv Evans, who has left the MBIs.

Coun Adrian Duggan has taken over from Coun Keith Budden as chairman of budget and performance.

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Coun Joyce Pritchard is the new chairman of the council business committee, succeeding Coun Joan Jackson, while Coun Phil Black has replaced Coun Jason Wood as chairman of appeals.

Re-elected chairmen are Coun Sandra Thornberry (planning), Coun Colin Hartley (licensing), Coun Oliver Robinson (personnel), Coun Paul Stubbins (audit) and Coun Mandy King (standards).

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