 Cllr David Flagg has been sworn in for a second consecutive term as Mayor of Christchurch, the first time a mayor has served two consecutive terms of office since 1964. Cllr Josephine Spencer has also been sworn in for a second term as Deputy Mayor. In his acceptance speech, the Mayor said: “It was a great privilege to have served as Mayor of this Ancient Borough last year and I would like to thank my fellow Councillors for placing their trust in me once again and allowing me to serve as Mayor for a second year.” He also reviewed the events of the past year pointing out some of the more noteworthy successes. These included working in partnership with the police and other agencies to continue the work which has led to further reductions in levels of crime in the Borough; reaching an agreement with the RNLI to provide a lifeguarding service at Avon Beach, Friars Cliff Beach and Highcliffe Castle Beach during the summer; and working with Dorset County Council to ensure bus services are continued following the withdrawal of certain services by Wilts & Dorset Buses. Other achievements mentioned included progress on developments at Druitt Gardens and the launch of a fundraising campaign for a new Druitt Community Centre, obtaining funding for play areas from the Big Lottery and the government, and the new Stanpit Marsh Information Centre which has won two recent awards. The Mayor announced that his charities for the coming year would be:
• Age Concern Christchurch, helping to fund Christmas lunches for 300 members of their Pop-In clubs
• Christchurch District Scouts providing funding for a Family Fun Day on Christchurch Quay on 11 July and to help with a purpose-built mobile display unit allowing them to take scouting out to the community
• Dorset Crimebeat, which provides a financial incentive for young people to produce and put into effect their own ideas of how to make their community a safer and better place to live. |
