Councillor Jane Gunter was unanimously elected to take the office of mayor at Monday night's (12th May) town council meeting. The contest for vice chairman was between Councillor Graham Pritchard and Councillor Sue Chivers, with the role awarded to Cllr Pritchard. Before handing over the mayoral chain, Cllr Jeana Hall thanked all the councillors and townspeople that had supported her through her term of office. Continuing, she paid a special tribute to Jane Lloyd and town clerk, Sue James, her mayor's cadet, James Phillips and her deputy mayor, Jane Gunter. After thanking the Beacon for making her very welcome over the past 12 months, she turned to her "fantastic" husband, William and paid an emotional tribute to the support and strength he had given her the last 12 months. On taking office, Cllr Gunter said she would do her very best for the town of Monmouth and its people. The mayor's consort is Paul Macer-Wright. Monmouth Town Council also announced that the seat made vacant by the resignation of Brian Ramsey will be filled by co-option if no by-election is requested by 10 or more electors from the Town Ward by Monday 19th May. Continuing the meeting, Cllr Bob Hayward informed the chamber that the finance and policy committee would not recommend to support Monmouthshire County Council's request for financial assistance for the tourist information office. They would prefer to form a working party and ask the town where they would like to see taxpayers' money spent rather than support the requests of the county council. Meetings will be held in the EE shop in August and September. Cllr Anthony Owen informed councillors that the proposed third lane for the Wye Bridge is now being abandoned because the South East Wales Integrated Transport Task Force (SEWTA), an alliance of 10 local authorities, had been disbanded by the Minister of Transport in the Welsh Government, Edwina Hart. The next town council meeting will be held on Monday 23rd June at 7pm at the Shire Hall.