THE new-look Oswestry Town Council is set to rubberstamp a decision to elect Councillor Mark Jones as the mayor for 2021/22, as it means face-to-face for the first time since Covid-19.

With the main chamber at the Guildhall unable to cope with the demands of social distancing, the town council will instead meet at the Oswestry Eastern Community Centre at 7pm on Wednesday.

Outgoing mayor, Cllr Duncan Kerr, will address the meeting before the vote where Cllr Jones – who has acted as deputy mayor this year – is expected to be confirmed in the role after he was nominated as mayor-elect.

However, with former councillor Steve Mason losing his seat at the May 6 elections, Oswestry Town Council will have to nominate and confirm a new deputy for the forthcoming civic year.

Once the formalities are completed, a motion from Cllr Kerr setting out the agenda of his majority Green Party – which holds 12 of the 18 seats – for priorities of the town council over the next four years.

Included in his motion is the reconnection of Oswestry to a mainline railway, making the council carbon neutral; increased tree planting and biodiversity; greater provision of youth services and facilities, and tackling empty shops in the town centre.

Also included in the motion is the creation of a corporate plan – carried out by town clerk Arren Roberts – in order to complete these priorities.

Meanwhile, there has been a motion submitted by Green Party councillors Jay Moore and Gemma Cassin regarding potholes in the town, and an attempt to bring Shropshire Council contractor Kier to ask why there has been an increase in their number.

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Much of the meeting will be given over to administrative matters, such as the appointment of councillors to council committees and as members of external bodies.

While councillors will be meeting physically, the meeting will also be held on Zoom for members of the public to watch and put questions forward during a 15-minute period.

Anyone wishing to attend the meeting can do so at https://us02web.zoom.us/i/84138054761 with a meeting ID of 841 3805 4761.