KNUTSFORD’S new mayor has spoken out about his thoughts on the future of Knutsford and how he hopes to represent the town during the next 12 months.

The Town Council welcomed in their new mayor, Cllr Tony Dean, last week in a special ceremony held at Jubilee Hall.  

Cllr Dean, who has already sat as town councillor for four years, has now also been voted in as a borough councillor for Cheshire East.

At the ceremony which took place on Monday May 18, the Mayor was supported in a speech by Cllr Stewart Gardiner and seconded by Cllr Peter Coan.

Cllr Dean said: “During my time as mayor, I would like to make sure that the council keeps on track in doing what we said we would do.

“I want to get the neighbourhood plan completed, which should give Knutsford people much more power to shape the town in the future.

“It is not just about jobs, houses and infrastructure, there is actually some local power now for the first time.. and that is very important.

“In general I would like to make sure that we keep moving up and pushing forward as a town.”

Cllr Dean also supported the 2020 vision campaign, a series of strategic aims put forward by the council to achieve in the next five years, including protecting green space and preserving the character of the town.

However, he expressed his concerns about the proposed plans to build 36,000 more homes in Cheshire East, and the impact this could have on the town.

He said: “I am quite concerned about the plan to build new houses in Knutsford, but at the same time, it is only rumours at the moment.

“I appreciate that we have to develop and move forward but we need to make sure that we have a say in where any new houses and jobs in Knutsford go.

“We must do whatever we can to make sure that we have the infrastructure required to go with the influx of people in the town- this includes improvements to the rail, to schools and other services.”

 On a more positive note, Cllr Dean talked about his plans for the coming year, and his plan to get to know as many people as possible in the town in his 12 month stint.

He said:  “There’s so many more clubs and organisations that you could possibly imagine when you first come into the job. “

“Overall, I think I am most looking forward to May Day. It has to be the favourite, especially if the weather is better than it was this year.

“I have been here long enough to see some hideous weather on May Day, but Knutsfordians always make it through.”

“I would just like to say thank you for voting me in as a councillor four years ago and recently as a Cheshire East councillor. Thank you for the honour of being your Mayor and I will do the best I can for this town. “