Spotted in The Cornishman Thursday 26th April 2012

Hayle's new mayor elect is given unanimous support

Thursday, April 26, 2012

The Cornishman

HAYLE Town Council elected a new mayor as her predecessor told members "Hayle's flame will continue to burn brightly".

Councillor Jayne Ninnes became the mayor elect while Councillor Graham Coad was appointed to the deputy mayor post she leaves.

The new civic leaders will be formally elected at the mayor choosing ceremony on May 10.

Outgoing mayor John Bennett said in his end-of-year report at the annual electors' meeting on Thursday: "Last week I met a mayor shopping in a nearby town who said to me, somewhat enviously, 'It's all happening in Hayle these days'. This is undoubtedly true and, might I add, about time."

Mayor for the past two years, he said exciting things were happening in the town, including work on North Quay, planning permission to develop South Quay and shortlisting as a site for the new Cornwall Records Office.

He said: "After many years of decline and disappointment, some important things are finally coming to fruition in our town – and some of our councillors have given a lifetime of effort to get us to this point ... .

"Last year, I said that Hayle was on fire and I am pleased to see that Hayle's flame is continuing to burn brightly."

Mrs Ninnes set up the foodbank at Hayle Methodist Church earlier this year with Councillor Anne-Marie Rance and Churches Together.

She got unanimous support from the other councillors after being nominated for the top job by Councillor Richard Horwell.

She said: "I'm thrilled to be elected, I'm really very proud. I think it is nice for people to see that not all mayors are male."

"It is a really exciting time to be mayor of Hayle with the ING development and the jubilee celebrations, but particularly the development.

"The people of Hayle have waited a long time so we have got to make sure we get it right for them."