Oswestry could bounce back to become a boom town, mayor-elect says
Oswestry's mayor-elect says he is confident that the town can bounce back from the Covid pandemic and become a major player in the county's revival.
Councillor Mark Jones was voted into the role as mayor-elect at the recent Oswestry Town Council meeting.
Deputy mayor to Councillor Duncan Kerr, he will now take over the mayoral chain in May – if he is successful in the local council elections that are due to take place at the beginning of that month.
He was put forward by Councillor Chris Schofield who said he was a very good councillor.
In nominating Councillor Jones he acknowledged that Councillor Kerr had not been able to enjoy the traditional duties of a mayor because of the pandemic.
"I wish that you, Mr Mayor, had had a better year, but no one could have foreseen what was going to happen."
In accepting his new title Councillor Jones said that, if he was re-elected, he would be delighted to take on the role.
"It would be a real honour for my family," he said.
Special town
"I am an Oswestrian born and bred. This is a special town, a real cauldron of English and Welsh.
"Oswestry has a lot going for it and I think there will be lots of opportunities to be had coming out of the Covid shadow. I think that, with a good council behind it, Oswestry could become a boom town."
Councillor Steve Mason was voted as the deputy mayor elect. He said that he was looking forward to supporting Councillor Jones in the coming year.
Traditionally Oswestry town council mayors are elected to the role in order of seniority.
Last year that was thrown into doubt when Conservatives on the council went against the seniority system by voting for Councillor Jones to become mayor for 2020 instead of Councillor Kerr, leader of the Green Party in the chamber.
However that decision was reversed after Councillor Jones stepped aside in favour of Councillor Kerr.
