COUNCILLOR Toby Eliot was elected Frome’s new mayor at the annual town council meeting last month, and in a first for Frome, will be aided by two deputy mayors – cllr Cath Puddick and cllr Al O’Kane.
The mayor and deputy mayors are all members of Independents for Frome, who have a unique position of holding all the town council seats; both cllr Eliot and cllr Puddick were elected in the Oakfield ward and cllr O’Kane in Park.
Cllr Eliot works for a local authority and is responsible for managing performance, risk and strategic planning and has a professional interest in how the public sector works and improves. Cllr Eliot and his family moved to Frome in 2002 having fell in love with the town after visiting the West Country. He said, “I’m going to make my year as mayor about opening up the town council and allowing everyone to play a part. My hope is that this will be foundation of participation that can be built on in future years here in Frome.
“My only worry about becoming the mayor is that I’ve never been what you’d call photogenic. However, my wife Rosie has said that she will smile for both of us.
“Thank you and well done to Kate Bielby who has been such a fabulous mayor particularly having been dropped into the role having only just been elected for the first time.”
Cllr Al O’Kane said, “I’m very pleased to be deputy mayor of Frome as I spent my childhood growing up in the town and I’m very proud of Frome. During my time as deputy mayor, I would like to raise the profile of the performing arts panel as I’ve always been involved with the music scene.”
Cllr Cath Puddick said, “I’m delighted to be working alongside Toby and Al. We have a good mix of ideas of the areas we would like to develop in the town.”
More details about the workings of the town council visit www.frometowncouncil.gov.uk
