SYLVIA GILLARD ELECTED AS NEW COUNCIL SPEAKER
Councillor Sylvia Gillard has been elected as the new Speaker of Bedford Borough Council.
At the Annual Council Meeting on Wednesday 9th May, Cllr Gillard was elected to succeed Councillor Mohammed Yasin with Councillor Mark Smith appointed as Deputy Speaker.
Councillor Gillard has represented residents in Bedford Borough as an elected member of three different local authorities. She was elected to North Bedfordshire Borough Council in 1987 and served for four years, including spells as Deputy Mayor and Mayor. She was later elected to Bedfordshire County Council in 2004 and continued until Bedford Borough Council became a unitary authority in 2009. She continues to represent the Goldington Ward.
Councillor Gillard commented: "I am delighted to be elected as Speaker for Bedford Borough Council and I hope I can perform the role with the same distinction as the previous speaker, who has done an excellent job for the past year.
"I will continue to work hard to represent the residents of Goldington and I look forward to taking on the extra role of Speaker for the coming year."