THE mayor of Tavistock will be elected in an open ballot next year, instead of a secret vote, following a decision by councillors last week. Until now, the mayor, deputy mayor and the committee appointments have been made in an informal, private meeting the week before the annual meeting. Cllr Brian Trew said he made the proposal in the hope that the council?s business on appointment issues should be clear and open. He said: ?The annual meeting should be the place where the mayoral succession and the committee appointments should be decided ? private meetings are not good for the council and not good for democracy.? Cllr Alison Clish-Green seconded the proposal and said she agreed with the sentiments behind it, though she could foresee problems in some circumstances, for example, in election years. Cllr Mandy Govier said she felt ?very strongly? about the present system of of choosing a mayor and deputy. ?We seem to be chucking names in a hat without us knowing whether the person has the qualifications. I feel people should say why they are suitable for the job ? it seems you can take any job within the council without a by your leave,? she said. Cllr Trew?s proposal was narrowly passed by the council, with several members abstaining from the vote. The decision follows the re-election by secret ballot last month of mayor Jenny Metcalf.
