The Mayor is elected each year at the Annual Town Council meeting which is held in May. The Mayor has two roles, as Chairman of the Town Council and Civic Ambassador for the town. It is a role steeped in tradition and ceremony.
There are many engagements undertaken by the Mayor in which he/she acts as a link between the various groups and organisations and the town. The Mayor can share the views and concerns of the community with the Council. The Mayor can also take the Council’s message out into the community and work towards achieving the Council’s commitment to encouraging and fostering positive working relationships between the council and other organisations and individuals working and living in the community.
Councillor Garry Shortland has been elected Mayor of Chard for 2018.
As well as acting as Chairman of the Town Council, Garry undertakes a wide variety of civic duties and responsibilities on behalf of the Town Council and the people of Chard. He is supported in this role by his partner Judy Addicott, who acts as his Mayoress and by the Deputy Mayor Councillor Andy Kenton, also his Mace Bearer Clive Saunders who accompanies him to civic events.
Mayor’s Engagements
For details of the Mayor’s engagements please contact Teresa Turnbull on 01460 239567 or by emailing reception@chard.gov.uk.
Should you or your organisation wish to invite the Mayor to attend a function or an event that you are planning please contact Teresa direct.
Follow what the Mayor gets up to by following his Facebook page.
Mayor’s Charity Fund
The Mayor is responsible for the Mayor’s Charity Fund. This is entirely separate from the Town Council’s funds and monies raised are distributed to local charities at the end of the Mayoral year.
Each Mayor chooses his/her charities for the year and decides on the fund raising activities which will take place.
During his year of office Garry will be working hard to raise funds for his chosen charities for this year which are;
- Lord’s Larder
- Hope for Tomorrow
Details of events arranged by the Mayor for the forthcoming year will be posted here:
