ROSS-ON-WYE Town Council is to consider alternative methods of selecting a mayor to give all members the opportunity to serve as civic leader.

Councillor Val Coker who put forward the motion said: “I would like to suggest that we completely remove any bias to any group sitting on this town council as I believe we shouldn’t be political at this level of local government.

“I have investigated how other mayors in other towns are elected. In one book about the mayor of Evesham is elected along seniority lines.

“I think electing a mayor on seniority is the way forward. This can be whittled down a shortlist if the member does not want to take on the role.

“As the years progress it would mean that all members, providing they have served for more than five years, getting the opportunity to be mayor.

“I’m not saying I have all the answers, I’m merely suggesting we should look at a new system that eliminates any one group monopolising the role.

“I believe this is a good way of electing mayors for this town in future. There may be other methods which could be considered.”

Cllr Milly Boylan, who highlighted the same issue last year when she declared herself of the ‘Not Mayor of Ross’ and said: “Electing a mayor on seniority is a very sensible idea. It doesn’t matter what happened in the past, it’s time to move forward and become a modern council.

Cllr Daniel Lister pointed out that the five-year seniority could be an issue but added: “Being mayor is a fantastic experience, even during lockdown, and hopefully one day I could become mayor again.”

The council voted unanimously to debate the issue of electing a mayor at a future meeting and set up an advisory committee in the meantime.