The new Mayor of Kenilworth has said she wants to focus on supporting community groups and the high street, as her year as the town's first citizen begins.

Cllr Alix Dearing was unanimously elected as mayor last Thursday (May 18) at Kenilworth Town Council's annual meeting at Kenilworth Castle.

As well as thanking the outgoing mayor, Cllr Sam Louden-Cooke, Cllr Dearing highlighted the support of friends, family and fellow councillors as she put on the chains for the first time.

"I would like to thank all my fellow councillors, without their example I would not have been able to take on this role," she said. 

"I arrived on the town council scene in 2016 as a rather indignant resident, sitting in the cheap seats in Jubilee House, asking more questions than I was allowed to!"

She added: "Many residents say to me that they want councillors to work together. I think that they fear the gladiatorial grandstanding that you get at higher levels of government. 

"But I would say at Kenilworth Town Council we have always worked towards the same things, in a friendly, spirited collaboration and intelligent debate. And I just know that this will continue."

Cllr Dearing signing her pledge as mayor, with town clerk Maggie Field (image by Jamie Gray)

A Green Party member on the town council, Cllr Dearing will be supported over the coming 12 months by new Deputy Mayor of Kenilworth Cllr Alan Chalmers - a Liberal Democrat councillor.

And looking ahead to the coming year, she has set out some clear objectives for her time as mayor.

"We already have many excellent initiatives focusing on the natural environment, and they will continue," Cllr Dearing explained. 

"The heart of the town is its shops, its restaurants and its pubs and we have seen these improve in terms of appearance thanks to voluntary groups such as the Friends of Talisman Square. 

"As mayor I want to focus on the town centre, promoting Kenilworth as a great place to live, work and visit. 

"The hollowing out of the high street that we see countrywide, must not happen here. 

"We are blessed with many enthusiastic volunteer groups, but I am told many struggle to recruit volunteers. My aim is to ensure everyone, young and old, able and less able, are involved in the local community."

New Mayor of Kenilworth Cllr Alix Dearing (left) with new Deputy Mayor of Kenilworth, Cllr Alan Chalmers (image by Jamie Gray)

In proposing the new mayor, Cllr Kate Dickson said she was confident Cllr Dearing has all the skills required to be the town's first citizen.

"Like two mayors before her, Alix is an experienced teacher. So I am sure that Cllr Dearing will be well placed to keep us all in order, keep us following the rules," she said. 

"I am sure she will continue to work as a councillor with the enthusiasm that she is well known for, and will use the experience she has built over the past four years. 

"Alix, I hope you have a wonderful year as mayor and you will make memories that will remain with you and our community for many years to come."

The newly elected Kenilworth Town Council, pictured with council officers at Kenilworth Castle (image by Jamie Gray)