WYCHAVON District Council has a new chairman after the chains of office were handed over to a new incumbent.
At the authority’s annual council meeting on Wednesday (May 17), Little Hampton councillor Frances Smith handed over her chain to the new Chairman Coun Liz Eyre who represents Broadway and Wickhamford.
Coun Liz Eyre’s husband, Doug Eyre, will become her consort for public engagements over the coming year.
Former chairman Coun Frances Smith said: “I would like to thank everyone who has supported me throughout this most enjoyable year.
“I’m very pleased to have met so many interesting people and to have had this opportunity.
“I’m also thrilled to be making a donation of £3,500 to St. Richard’s Hospice and thank you to everyone who has contributed.
“I wish Coun Eyre all the best for her coming year and I have no doubt that she will get as much out of it as I have.”
Speaking after the ceremonial chain exchange, Coun Eyre said: “Many congratulations to Coun Frances Smith on a successful year.
“I’m so looking forward to what is ahead and I have a few areas that I’m keen to work on.
“The first is around faith. As someone with a very strong faith I want to ensure we continue to make this a part of this Council, however, I want to make sure that we truly reflect our community. Therefore I will not be appointing one chaplain – instead I will have representatives from several faiths joining us throughout the year.
“I have a number of themes that I would like to focus on – these are mental health, physical health, heritage and culture.”
