Eastbourne mayor to stay on for another year

The council announced this week that Annual Council, the meeting in May to elect the new mayor and deputy mayor, will not take place because of the pandemic.

A council spokesperson said that previously, government emergency legislation removed the requirement for annual civic meetings at this time of national crisis and so in common with other local authorities, the decision has been taken not to hold Annual Council this year.

Councillor Steve Wallis, a Liberal Democrat member of the council for Devonshire ward, said, “The town hall was opened more than 120 years ago and this is the first time that a meeting of Annual Council will not have taken place.

“While there is a certain sadness in not holding this historic gathering, my overriding focus is providing support to the communities across Eastbourne at this unprecedented time.

“It has been an honour to serve the people of this town as mayor and I can assure every resident that I will continue to fulfil my duties with the same sense of duty and purpose that I have over the last 12 months.”

The mayor and deputy mayor, Sammy Choudhury, will remain in office until May 2021.

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