Oswestry Town Council to elect new mayoral team for 2021/22

The role is currently filled by Councillor Duncan Kerr, with Cllr Mark Jones acting as his deputy and he is expected to be confirmed as the mayor for the upcoming year.

He had been behind Cllr Chris Schofield in the list of councillors in line for the role – or the seniority list as it is called, as per council standing orders – but the chairman of the finance committee deferred his position for Cllr Jones, who is also a Shropshire councillor.

The selection will take place over Zoom as part of Oswestry Town Council's full meeting for January, starting at 7pm.

However, Cllr Jones will still need to be officially voted in by his fellow members but officials do not expect a repeat of 2019's controversy where an absent deputy mayor-elect Cllr Kerr was initially not given the role in the vote.

But peace soon broke out after Cllr Kerr was restored to role as Cllr John's Price's second.

Members will also be asked to elect a deputy mayor who is expected to become mayor in 2022.

Meanwhile, there will be several items heard in the private session – which excludes press and public.

Among the items will be a discussion over a proposal covering an indoor bar in Powis Market Hall, as well as the 2021 Oswestry Balloon Carnival.

Other items in private session include the High Street Heritage Action Zone, income generation and an extension of the Smithfield Lease VAT implications and an item around 12 Cross Street, in Oswestry.

In the public session, councillors will be asked to form opinions on Oswestry Town Council's response to the now-extended Shropshire Council Local Plan deadline.

There is also a motion about domestic abuse from Cllr Kerr, and how the council can show its support to charities helping those who are suffering, while councillors will also discuss how more nominations form the 2021 local elections in May can be sought.

The meeting is being held over Zoom and the meeting ID is 852 3598 4815.