COUNCILLOR Kate Bielby was elected Frome’s new mayor at the first official town council meeting last month, and will be aided by her deputy, cllr Ali Barclay.
Both cllrs Bielby and Barclay are members of Independents for Frome, who have a unique position of holding all the town council seats; cllr Bielby was elected in the Keyford ward and cllr Barclay in Berkley Down.
Kate Bielby has been a freelance copywriter and editor for many years. She and her husband now run a small creative business in the middle of Frome. She is a mum and a carer and her two children both attend schools in the town. Born and raised in the West Country, Kate and her family moved to Frome eight years ago.
She will follow in the footsteps of cllr Peter Macfadyen, the outgoing mayor, who will remain in his capacity as a town councillor for the Park ward.
Cllr Bielby said, “I’m absolutely delighted and very honoured to have been given this opportunity. Peter has been a great mayor and a tough act to follow. I will do my very best to support the groups and individuals who work hard for Frome, as well as encouraging and helping different people to get involved in our community.”
Cllr Macfadyen said, “I’ve greatly enjoyed the privileged position of mayor over the last year. I’ve tried to make the mayor’s role easy to contact and relate to – in the same way as the town council is working hard to be open and responsive. I am sure Kate will continue this trend and I hope she will enjoy the role as much as I have.”
More information about the workings of Frome Town Council visit www.frometowncouncil.gov.uk.