Councillor Billy Blanchard-Cooper, who represents Beach Ward, is to serve a further year as Town Mayor following the annual meeting of the Council on the 17th May 2018.

Councillor Blanchard-Cooper became first citizen following the annual meeting of the Council on the 18th May 2017 with Councillor Dr James Walsh KStJ as Deputy Mayor and Mayor Elect. However, due to forthcoming orthopaedic surgery, Councillor Dr Walsh took the decision not to go forward as Town Mayor as he felt that it would be impossible for him to attend all the many events that go with the job. He said, “If I cannot do it properly I should not let my name go forward now”. Councillor Dr Walsh nominated Councillor Blanchard-Cooper to continue for a second year, to which he agreed “as this would give continuity, and certainty, and I believe will be well received in the community we serve.”

The Mayor’s Charities, The Littlehampton Heritage Railway Association and Friends of Mewsbrook Park, were both presented with cheques of £5,262.04p each after a successful year of fundraising by the Mayor, local organisations and individuals.

Councillor Billy Blanchard-Cooper said that he “has been honoured to serve the Town over the past year and is delighted to be able to continue doing this for a second year”. He thanked family and friends who had supported him in his fundraising efforts with special thanks to all involved in his main fundraiser “Curtain Up!” which saw over a hundred performers come together to stage a show at the Windmill Theatre. 

Speaking at the Annual Meeting of the Council, the Mayor said that “it was a great honour to represent our town and I am very proud to have been elected Town Mayor for a second term”. This is only the second time a Mayor has continued for a consecutive term since the formation of the Littlehampton Town Council with the first time being Councillor John Millington 40 years ago.

The Mayor added “Although I have met numerous groups over the past year I know there are still many I have not had the pleasure of getting to know as of yet and Iook forward to meeting them as well as revisiting others”. He will be announcing his chosen charity in the near future.

The Mayor would be happy to support your events, just contact the Mayor’s Office on 01903 732063.