A NEW mayor for Chepstow has been elected.

Councillor Dale Rooke, who served as deputy mayor for the past year, was the only nomination and was elected last Wednesday (27th May).

The new mayor is also a councillor for the Thornwell ward and is chairman of Chepstow Town Council's planning committee.

Mayor Rooke said: "I am delighted, honoured and humbled to be elected as mayor for the coming year.

"We are extremely fortunate to live in a beautiful, historic and culturally rich town, and I will do my utmost to ensure that Chepstow continues to be a vibrant, welcoming and safe place to live, have a business and raise a family.

"I am acutely aware of the financial pressures that public services and communities are under due to continued austerity and will do all that I can to support them.

"There will be tough decisions to be made over the next year and, with the support of my fellow councillors, I intend to make sure that no-one is left without a voice."

Mayor Rooke is yet to elect his chosen charities.

Two nominations were received for deputy mayor, Councillor Paul Pavia and Councillor Hilary Beech. Equal votes were given to each councillor leaving the casting vote with Mayor Rooke. He voted for Hilary Beech who was sworn in as deputy mayor.

Councillor Ned Heywood, who served as mayor for 2014/15, said: "It's been a very interesting and enjoyable year as mayor."