TAVISTOCK?s town mayor looks set to serve a second year in office following a meeting in the town last week ? the first time such an event has happened in modern times. The town council?s annual meeting was due to take place as the Times went to press this week ? if councillors vote according to their informal mayor making meeting, held earlier, Cllr Jenny Metcalf will remain town mayor, and Cllr Caroline Keane will remain deputy mayor. Roger Howard, Tavistock?s town clerk, said: ?This has never been done before as far as I am aware, although it?s quite common in other towns ? Okehampton for example, often has the same mayor for several years.? The mayor choosing takes place using a secret ballot the week before the council?s annual meeting. Until now, there has only been one nomination for mayor at these meetings ? that of the serving deputy. But this year, two names were received ? those of Cllr Metcalf and Cllr Keane. Following a ballot, Cllr Metcalf won the vote by eight votes to seven. Col Howard said: ?Of course, everything could change at the annual meeting ? it would be totally unheard of, but it would be totally legal. ?Cllr Metcalf was chosen at an informal meeting and they?ve agreed she?s the one they will vote for, but it?s not outside the bounds of probability that another name could go forward.? Cllr Metcalf is one of the town council?s most committed councillors. According to statistics presented to the annual meeting, she has attended 93% of committee and council meetings in the last year. Cllr Anne Johnson heads the table, having attended 94% of meetings.
