Swanage Town Council’s Annual Council Meeting was held on Monday evening at the Town Hall, marking the start of the new civic year at the council.
First on the agenda was to elect a new Town Mayor and Deputy Mayor.
Cllr Chris Tomes was elected Mayor for the next civic year 2026/27 and commented:
“Firstly I’d like to thank my fellow councillors for putting their trust in me to lead the council over the coming year. It will be a great honour and privilege to serve this wonderful town as mayor, and council as chairman… I’d like to say a special thank you to Councillor Bonfield. Mike has been a great source of support, advice, and guidance, not just during my year as deputy mayor, but throughout my time as a councillor… You have been a fantastic mayor over five terms with Audrey by your side, and I definitely feel like I’ve got some very big shoes to fill. Thank you for your support and friendship… To our residents – please keep talking to us, sharing your views, asking for help when you need it, and holding us to account. We are here to represent and serve our community, and we can only do that properly by listening. At the end of the day, we’re residents too, and we all do this because we care deeply about our town and its future.”
Cllr Sarah Vile was appointed Deputy Mayor for the next civic year 2026/27 and said:
“I would like to say thank you so much for this wonderful opportunity to support our new mayor, and to thank the town clerk, officers, and all the staff at Swanage Town Council for the continued dedication and professionalism with which you run our council business, assets and services – sometimes in very challenging circumstances. It is a privilege to work with you.”
Warm thanks were offered to the outgoing Mayor, Cllr Mike Bonfield, for his leadership and dedication to the town over the past year. Cllr Bonfield added:
“Thank you all for your support, and thank you to Councillor Tomes who has provided first class support as deputy over the last year. I wish him well as mayor and I know he will do a good job, as he loves Swanage, just as much as me!”
Previous Mayors of our town were formally recognised and presented with Former Mayor badges at the start of the meeting, celebrating their service to Swanage - this included Cllr Tina Foster (2022-2025) and Avril Harris (2021-2022).
Committee membership was confirmed and chairmanships were appointed:
- Community Services Committee – Chairman: Cllr Chris Moreton
- Environment and Green Spaces Committee – Chairman: Cllr Cliff Sutton
- Personnel Committee – Chairman: Cllr Sarah Vile
- Planning and Consultation Committee – Chairman: Cllr Tina Foster
- Tourism and Local Economy Committee – Chairman: Cllr Mike Bonfield
- Finance and Governance Committee – Chairman: Town Mayor, Cllr Chris Tomes
You can find more details about your 12 Councillors, the committees and future meetings here: www.swanage.gov.uk/council.
With committee structures confirmed, the Council looks ahead with optimism and a shared commitment to working positively for Swanage and its community.