NEW mayor of Tetbury Stephen Hirst has said that he will be looking forward to the different challenges he will be facing since his last appointment in the position.

At an annual town council meeting last Monday, May 16, Councillor Hirst was appointed mayor of Tetbury, taking over from Sandra Ball, and Cllr Kevin Painter was appointed deputy mayor, taking over from Tony Walsh.

It is the second time that Cllr Hirst will be mayor after finishing a five-year stint as mayor in 2010.

He said: “I’m very proud to be mayor of Tetbury although there are some quite different challenges than when I was previously mayor.

“We have another 800 houses on the conveyor belt and that provides the town with problems of whether or not services will be able to cope.

“We are a very positive community and I am sure that the new residents will be welcomed into the town. But it is still a problem working with the extra traffic and parking pressures.

“There is an advantage in being appointed mayor again. You know the ropes, your responsibility and what the responsibilities are.

“I think the mayor should be very evident in town and have the ability to listen to all sides of the argument and weigh up for themselves just what the correct course of action is. Some people will be happy and some not.

“I’ve learned that things are rarely as they seem: problems are never what they appear on the surface.

“I’ve also learned that having a united council can have a really solid positive effect on the town.

“Tetbury is a great place to be mayor of. It’s very friendly and very understanding of people.”

Deputy mayor Kevin Painter said: “I am genuinely surprised when I was elected. I was not expecting this at all.

“As an outspoken and passionate councillor for my home town, I take this as a great honour and opportunity.

“There are so many challenges ahead: the transport, health care, youth provision, provision for the elderly, affordable community transport, business and jobs.

“And to paraphrase JFK, if not us, who? If not now, when? Our town needs action, and action now.”