Council's final mayor appointed (From The Northern Echo)

Council's final mayor appointed

5:49pm Saturday 17th May 2008 in

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A COUNCIL has appointed its final mayor before being abolished to make way for a single unitary authority for County Durham next year.

Councillor John Robinson became the 34th civic leader of Sedgefield Borough Council, which was established as a district council in 1974, yesterday.

Nominating him for the post, Coun Lucy Hovvels, said: "John is a pillar of his community, he is very passionate about where he lives and always wants the best for Sedgefield.

"I know John considers this role to be a great honour and will carry it out with pride, honour, dignity and sincerity."

Councillor Robinson, 50, became the youngest councillor in the country when he was elected onto Sedgefield Town Council at the age of 21 and is now its leader.

He joined the borough council in 1995, has served two terms with Durham County Council and won a seat on the new unitary authority.

The father-of-two is also a magistrate and member of many groups including Sedgefield Civic Trust, Sedgefield Charities and amateur dramatic clubs.

He was also made an honorary member of the Women's Institute after working with the club on an environmental project.

He said: "The appointment as Mayor gives one the opportunity in a civic year of office to make a positive difference to people's lives and circumstances."

Coun Robinson, whose wife Maxine will be consort, adopted The Butterwick Hospice as his charity.

He said it was an honour to be borough's final mayor and predicted a year of celebration and hard work so the authority ends on a high note.

Coun Robinson succeeds Coun Sarah Iveson in the post and the pair reversed roles as she becomes deputy mayor.

Coun Iveson presented the proceeds of her charity appeal to Dr Bill Lamb for the Children's Diabetes Trust Fund.

Dr Lamb, a consultant paediatrician at Bishop Auckland General Hospital, said the fund had raised 200,000 to provide insulin pumps for around 60 children with diabetes.

He said he was extremely grateful for the donation which will help give more children a better quality of life.

Members reinstated Agnes Armstrong as leader and Vince Crosby as deputy leader for the final year.

Members also decided to transfer the council's ceremonial privileges and rights, held since a Royal Charter was granted in 1996, to Sedgefield Town Council.