Jon Orrell named new Mayor of Weymouth for the next year

At a full meeting of Weymouth Town Council last night, councillors voted unanimously in favour of Cllr Jon Orrell. 

Cllr Orrell represents Melcombe Regis on both the town council and Dorset Council.

He was a GP for 25 years before becoming a councillor eight years ago.

Addressing the town council, Cllr Orrell said: "It is a great honour to be selected as mayor and I will do my best.

"I will strive to be completely neutral in this role as mayor and you can hold me to account on that.

"We have a lot to do in this town - we just found out we are keeping our Blue Flag status and we need to keep our beaches beautiful.

"They are some of the most prominent places, our beaches and parks.

"In the last five years we did work together cross party and I hope we will do that in the coming five years."

Speaking to The Echo afterwards Cllr Orrell added: "I am very honoured to take this position.

"It has a rich history going back 400 years with the borough and now the town council.

"We live in a fantastic part of the world and we want to make sure it stays that way.

"I am looking forward to the next year in this position.

"I had always hoped one day I might be mayor but I wasn't expecting it this year.

"It is great that it is my fellow councillors have elected me unanimously."

He takes over from Cllr Kate Wheller.

Caroline Nickinson has been named as deputy mayor.

Weymouth Mayor Jon Orrell and Deputy Mayor Caroline Nickinson (Image: Tom Lawrence)

She was selected on what was her first meeting as a councillor.

Cllr Nickinson's husband, Richard Nickinson, was also a town councillor until the election.

Cllr Nickinson said: "It is a great privilege, considering I was only elected last week I feel rather shell-shocked by it.

"I have lived in Weymouth for many, many years. I class it as my home and my husband was born and bred here.

"We are really proud and I want to do whatever I can to support the town.

"He [Richard] is delighted to hear.

"It is very humbling and I am going to put my all into it."

David Harris will continue his role as leader of the town council.

No one was elected as deputy leader and the position remains vacant.

The following councillors were nominated to serve as Committee Chairs and will be confirmed at the next respective committee meetings:  

Cllr David Civil – Chair of Finance & Governance Committee. 

Cllr Matt Bell – Chair of Environment and Services Committee. 

Cllr David Harris – Chair of the HR Committee. 

Cllr Peter Dickenson – Chair of the Planning & Licensing Advisory Committee. 

Cllr Simon Clifford – Chair of the Appeals Committee. 

Champion roles were also elected, including Cllr Gill Taylor as Community Champion, Cllr Joanna Dickenson as Armed Forces Covenant Champion, Cllr Thomas Taylor as Sports and Activities Champion, and Cllr Tim Young was appointed as the Rights of Way Liaison role with Dorset Council.