Appointment of New Mayor and Deputy Mayor
Wednesday 19th May 2021
Sheringham Town Council are pleased to announce the appointment at the Annual Meeting of Sheringham Town Council of a new Mayor and Chair of the Council, Councillor Peter Ratcliffe and a new Deputy Mayor, Councillor Sue Brisbane.
Following appointment, the first business of the Council was a vote of thanks to outgoing Mayor, Councillor Madeleine Ashcroft and Deputy Mayor, Councillor Liz Withington. Both were praised for their service to the Town Council and the residents of Sheringham, both having worked on many initiatives and most recently, supported the Council’s response to the Coronavirus pandemic.
In his opening remarks as new Mayor and Chair of the Council, Councillor Ratcliffe set out a view of his vision for the Council. He stressed that the Town Council should build on the changes of the recent period to become a ‘Gold Standard’ Council that listens attentively to its community and implements a plan for the town that is well-resourced and adds real value to resident’s precept payments.
He added that as well as attending to the underpinning business of the Council, it should not lack ambition in what it looks to achieve, “it is right that we look to advance, by example, our youth strategy, improve our council-owned assets and improve revenue streams where we can.” Councillor Ratcliffe commented “I believe we should look for the opportunities to update ourselves about the view of the community on what it sees as the important issues facing Sheringham now and that information is an important component used by us to craft our agenda for this Council going forward.”
Councillor Brisbane listed her priorities as “implementing strategies to address the climate emergency, supporting community services and working in partnership with the people of the town.”
She added that “Sheringham is a unique and special place in which people have supported each other in amazing ways during the pandemic. I know that we all want to see STC be the best support and resource for the community that it can be. As a former senior manager in education, I am keen to see all aspects of the Town Council operating in the most professional and effective way possible to provide the best service to the town and I want to play my part in achieving this”.
To read a full copy of the Tributes to the outgoing Mayor and Deputy Mayor please see below;
Tribute to Councillor Liz Withington
To read a full copy of the Mayor speech, please click the following attachment;
STC Mayor Acceptance Full Text at FC 18 05 21
Profile Councillor Peter Ratcliffe – Mayor
Peter was born in Overstrand, Norfolk in 1961 and is the youngest of four brothers. Educated at the Overstrand Belfry School and Cromer Secondary Modern School’s and after school at the Kings Lynn Technical College.
Having previously lived in Overstand, Cromer and Lower Gresham, Peter has lived in Sheringham since 1999.
Peter has four children, two now grown-up and from his marriage to Amber, two boys who attend the Sheringham Primary and High Schools. Peter also has two grandchildren.
He retired in May 2019 having served 37 years in the offshore gas industry, his final assignment as manager at one of the onshore terminals at Bacton.
Peter recognises the responsibility in undertaking the role of Mayor and Chair of the Council at a particularly challenging time, but his commitment is to service to the staff of the Council, fellow Councillors and the Sheringham community and to engage in effective communication with the Sheringham community.
Profile – Councillor Sue Brisbane – Deputy Mayor
Sue has lived in Sheringham for 15 years and thoroughly appreciates and cherishes the uniqueness and character of the town.
She was a senior manager in education and has been a teacher for over 25 years until retirement. She has a strong commitment to public services and is active in campaigning for fairness and equality locally and more widely.
Sue actively campaigns to protect health and social care services and the most vulnerable in our community. She is keen to ensure that all local people have a say in shaping the future of the town.
