THE MAYOR of Yate has stepped down after serving the town for two years.

Cllr Tony Davis handed over the position to his deputy, Cllr John Ford, at the annual meeting of Yate Town Council on Tuesday, May 16. 

The position of Vice Chair and Deputy Town mayor was also passed to Cllr Karl Tomasin, who takes over from Cllr Ford. 

Both appointments were voted for unanimously by members of Yate Town Council.

New mayor, Cllr Ford, said: “I would like to thank Tony for two years of hard work and diligent leadership. 

“I’m honoured to have been given this position and hope to maintain my fellow councillor’s trust and faith.

"I look forward to the future."

Cllr Davis spoke fondly about his time as mayor, describing it as “very eventful” and a “real privilege”. 

“The highlight has undoubtedly been opening the new cinema,” he said.

“It’s something that residents have wanted for many years and the council campaigned for it for a long time. 

“Another highlight for me has been the council’s involvement with Yate Outdoor Sports Centre. It’s a great success story for us, as it may have had to close were it not for the efforts from the council and the volunteers who work there.”

Addressing the council, he gave a short speech about some of the council’s achievements during his time as mayor.

He spoke about a variety of royal visits to the town, including one from the Duke of Kent, as well as a visit from the High Sherriff.

“She came to look at our Youth work and was very complimentary,” he said. “She said that a lot of councils could learn from us.”

He also praised the staff and councillors Yate Town Council for their involvement in projects around the town. 

He said: “We purchased the public areas at the Abbotswood Shopping Centre, which is now a much nicer place as a result.

“We have also been upgrading play areas on a rolling basis, the most recent of which was St Mary’s and we are now looking at Howard Lewis Park. 

“I’d like to thanks all of the Yate Town Council team and especially the deputy mayor for their hard work in these challenging times.”