A new Brigg Town Mayor was elected last night (Tuesday, May 25).
Coun Brian Parker will be the town's first citizen for the next two years - until late May 2023.
He was elected through a unanimous vote by fellow councillors at last night's annual meeting of Brigg Town Council.
Well-known in Brigg for his community work as a member of local groups, Coun Parker established and ran a sizeable business in the town.
A middle-order batsman, he was one of the founders of Brigg Town Cricket Club in the mid-1970s, combining his playing role with duties as club secretary and treasurer.
More recently, as an elected councillor in Brigg, he has been chairman of the Planning & Environment Committee which considers and comments on proposed developments - large and small - within the town.
Latterly, he was been the long-serving Deputy Town Mayor.
It is usual practice for councillors to spend 12 months in the deputy's role before then being elected to the top post.
However, various factors combined to delay Coun Parker's election as Mayor, including the Coronavirus emergency.
It led to the cancellation of many civic and group events in Brigg and beyond at which the Town Mayor would usually represent the Town Council and the community.
Council meetings, which are normally chaired by the Town Mayor with councillors present in person, had to be suspended in line with the Government-imposed lockdown regulations, and instead held in 'virtual' fashion online.
The council therefore invited Coun Sharon Riggall, the serving Town Mayor, to extend her period of office beyond the usual 12 months, which she agreed to do.
Last night's meeting was the first to be held in traditional fashion since March 2020, although masks still had to be worn until councillors were seated in socially distanced fashion.
The regulations also put paid to the long-standing tradition of the retiring Town Mayor and the Town Clerk investing the new first citizen with his chain of office.
After taking over in the chair at last night's meeting, Coun Parker thanked Coun Riggall and the Town Clerk, Kerry McGrath, for their help, advice and support. He had waited three years to become Mayor.
He was pleased to see councillors back meeting again in the normal manner at a venue, which was "so much better" than the online method.
Keith Simpson will serve as the Town Mayor's Chaplain, and Coun Parker will be supported during his term of office by his wife, Jane, and the new Deputy Town Mayor, Coun Carl Sherwood, who was elected during last night's AGM held in Brigg Methodist Church, on Wesley Road.
Coun Sherwood is also a member of the managing cabinet at North Lincolnshire Council.
Coun Parker has launched an appeal fund which will operate during his period as Town Mayor and he will be raising money in various ways to be donated to help two local charities. Brigg Blog will publicise these events in due course, culminating in the presentation of cheques once all proceeds have been collected.
 |
| A socially distanced picture taken last night, showing Coun Brian Parker after taking over from Coun Sharon Riggall as Brigg Town Mayor. |
Brian Parker as a member of the Brigg Town Cricket Club team in May 1974 which went on to win the championship of its division in the Grimsby & District League. This was the club's first season since being re-formed after a gap of 40 years.
Elected Deputy Town Mayor last night, Coun Carl Sherwood has previously been Town Mayor; he's seen here in May 2012 when he took over the role at a ceremony held in the Angel Suite.
Elected Deputy Town Mayor last night, Coun Carl Sherwood has previously been Town Mayor; he's seen here in May 2012 when he took over the role at a ceremony held in the Angel Suite.