THE election of Cllr Margaret Young as mayor of Launceston for a second term follows recent tradition, those gathered at a ceremony at the town hall heard last week —and her colleagues assured she will continue to lead the council ‘in an exemplary manner,’ writes Amy Dennis.

In being re-elected mayor at the mayor choosing ceremony and annual meeting in the town hall last Thursday, Cllr Young becomes the fifth successive councillor to perform that role for a minimum of two years.

Town councillor Paul O’Brien, who proposed Cllr Young’s re-election, said this ‘recent tradition’ may lead people to think it is a ‘given’ that a mayor will automatically be re-elected for a second term.

However, Cllr O’Brien said: “When any councillor is first elected to be our mayor there is always a degree of hope that they are making a wise choice and that the nominee will step up to the plate. I can assure everyone that Margaret Young has done precisely that, both as mayor of the town and chairman of the council. She has provided the leadership that’s required.”

He added he had no hesitation in proposing her second term, adding: “She will continue to lead us all in the exemplary manner she has done in the last year.”

Cllr Jane Nancarrow seconded the proposal, and said: “She has had a truly magnificent first year in her leading role and will I’m sure continue to serve the town of Launceston, which she dearly loves, in every way possible.

“She is a true Lanson girl from a well-known local family, a former student, then teacher at Launceston College for many years, and she continues to put young people at the heart of many of her projects and initiatives.”

This was demonstrated during the ceremony, when Cllr Young handed over funds raised to her chosen charities for 2017 to 2018, the Guides and Scouts. The cheques were given to Lynn Frostick and Anne Bickle.

St Catherine’s Primary School Choir had been invited to sing to guests before the start of the ceremony, and many local school pupils were in attendance.

Cllr Young then announced her chosen charities for the ensuing year are the Purple Angel Dementia Awareness Campaign and Launceston Voluntary First-Aid Service.

Cllr Young thanked her fellow councillors, town council staff, family and friends for their support, and reflected on some of her highlights from the past year, including the Cornish Gorsedh ceremony at Launceston, celebrations for the centenary of the birth of the late poet Charles Causley, the Remembrance parade — she said it was a pleasure to see so many young people marching through the square — hearing former Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams preach at St Thomas Church, and meeting George Alagiah when he visited the town hall last summer to give a talk as part of the Charles Causley Festival. Cllr Young said she wished him well following recent news of his illness.

She also expressed thanks to Launceston Town Band’s services for the town. They were on hand at the ceremony to play the National Anthem. She added: “I defy anyone to say there’s nothing going on in Launceston.”

She explained there is now an equal number of women to men on the town council, and say they ‘work well together’. She added: “I often hear, ‘what are the town council doing about it?’ I’m not quite sure what it is. I very often say you could try and sit on one of our committees. You could actually become a councillor and do something about it.

“Unlike many other towns we have wonderful facilities and services. We have public toilets which function. Lots of towns have shut all these facilities, but we do keep them going, so well done Launceston.

“We take great pride in cutting the grass around the town. All this comes at a cost. Our budgets have been cut. So when we have to put the precept up a bit it’s because we want to keep the facilities going.

“I really do feel I’m very, very privileged to serve this special town. It’s a joy to be able to do things for the town.”

Cllr Dave Gordon was re-elected to the role of deputy mayor, with proposer Cllr O’Brien stating: “There’s no one better equipped for the role. The value that an effective deputy can bring is enormous.” He added the mayoral team — also including mayoress Nicola Gilbert, who is Cllr Young’s sister, and deputy mayoress Carole Gordon — works ‘wonderfully well for both the council and the town’.

Cllr Nancarrow added: “As a former mayor of Launceston Cllr Gordon has shown his total commitment to serving the town to the best of his ability. A local boy of Lanson, Cllr Gordon has worked hard on projects such as Coronation Park and restoring the carnival to our town with great success.”

Cllr Gordon said: “It has been an enormous privilege and a very good year for Carole and myself to work alongside the mayor and mayoress. Our mayor has worked tirelessly on behalf of our town through that time. It’s a great honour to support her. Being a mayor or deputy mayor is not always an easy role. Sometimes difficult decisions have to be made on behalf of our community. I want her to know I will continue to [support her] to the best of my ability.

“Both the mayor and myself are born and bred Lanson people. My dear mother would have said ‘you are a proper Lanson boy and chil’. It’s a pride instilled in us by our respective parents.”

Ranger Molly Lankston agreed to be the mayor’s cadet for a second year. The Rev Teresa Folland was officially appointed mayor’s chaplain. Mr Andrew Statton and Mr Andrew Dunning were appointed mace bearers, and Cllr Rob Tremain as town crier.

The annual meeting was adjourned until Tuesday, May 22 at 7pm in the Guildhall, after this week’s Post went to press.