LABOUR councillors are promising to work collaboratively with all their colleagues after taking control of the council at the Falmouth Town Council annual meeting last night.

Last night saw many changes as new councillors took their places following the local elections on 6 May. It was the first physical, although socially distanced, meeting since lockdown began last year.

Falmouth Packet:

Labour Councillors  - Emily Seiler, Jayne Kirkham, Kirstie Edwards, Brod Ross, Jude Robinson, Gerald Chin-Quee, Zoe Young, Debra Clegg, Alan Rowe, Louise Coley.

Steve Eva was elected as Town Mayor, he will be supported by Deputy Mayor Kirstie Edwards
Steve’s consort will be Mayoress Vicky Eva and his Chaplain will be Canon Bill Stuart-White. The mayoral charity www.georgiasvoice.co.uk Georgia's Voice

The new Labour councillors now form the majority but are promising to work with all councillors for the best outcomes for Falmouth and supported Councillor Steve Eva for another term as Mayor, paying tribute to his hard work during the year of Covid and lockdowns.

Falmouth Packet:

Seven of the Labour councillors are women

Kirstie Edwards was voted in as Deputy Mayor and said: “I feel humbled and honoured to have been given this opportunity to serve our wonderful town as Deputy Mayor and throwing the same positivity, energy and passion into the role as I have my previous endeavours. I hope to do Falmouth proud.”

Falmouth Packet:

Kirsty Edwards was voted in as deputy mayor while Steve Eva was voted in for another term as mayor

Kirstie has a wealth of experience in the community as well as running her own business and will also take on the role of Chair of Cultural Services for Falmouth.

However not all councillors voted for Kirsty Edwards as deputy mayor with three councillors Alan Jewell (Con), John Spargo (Lib Dem), and Dean Evans (Green Party) abstaining and independent David Saunby voting against the appointment.

When contacted by the Packet, Mr Saunby said he felt, as a newly elected councillor, Ms Edwards did not have the experience to be elected as deputy mayor.

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Another new appointment is Cllr Alan Rowe as Chair of Planning. Alan said: “I am proud to serve the people of Falmouth, bringing 25 years of professional arboricultural expertise and 20 years of working in planning to the role as well as a passion for the town. I have been involved in planting thousands of trees around the county and want to protect our existing trees and all the benefits they bring to our town.”