THE new Mayor of North East Lincolnshire has promised to bring "enjoyment and fun" to the role.
Peggy Elliott, Labour councillor for the Freshney ward, was sworn in at the annual mayor-making ceremony at Grimsby Town Hall on Thursday, as reported on www.thisisgrimsby.co.uk
In an emotional acceptance speech, Councillor Elliott revealed how she was following in the footsteps of her mother-in-law Marjorie Elliott, who served as Mayor of Grimsby in 1978.
She said: "I am extremely proud and privileged to represent North East Lincolnshire and look forward to meeting as many citizens, charities and organisations as I can and to promote North East Lincolnshire as a sound, safe and community-minded place to live and invest in."
Describing outgoing mayor Mike Burton as a "very hard act to follow", she added: "Every mayor brings something unique to the role and mine will be, quite simply and where appropriate, to bring some enjoyment and fun."
Councillor Elliott's husband Steve will serve as consort and the Reverend Andrew Dodd, priest in charge at Grimsby Minster, will act as her chaplain.
She revealed that her three chosen charities for the year would be St Andrew's Children's Hospice, Humberston Park Hydrotherapy Pool and Women's Aid.
Fighting back the tears, she added: "Well, who would have thought it! Peggy Topple, born in Mangle Street, Grimsby, would be Mayor of North East Lincolnshire. I certainly never did!"
Councillor Elliott has served in a variety of positions since being elected onto the council, including the cabinet post for citizens partners and support services in 2011/12. Last year she served as deputy mayor.
A former chairman of the health and wellbeing scrutiny panel, she has also been a leading figure in the local campaign to save the Leeds children's heart unit.
Proposing her election as mayor, fellow Freshney ward councillor Cliff Barber described Councillor Elliott as a "caring, thoughtful and happy person", who always put others first.
He said: "Her work as a councillor has been exceptional, working long hours on the ward to try to help with problems that have occurred.
"She has been a Trojan to try to save the Leeds heart unit from closure. She is definitely not one to give in."
Alex Baxter, the Conservative councillor for Scartho ward, will serve as deputy mayor, with his wife Anne serving as deputy mayoress.
Proposing him for the position, fellow Scartho ward councillor David Hornby said his colleague was well suited to the position, having an "enviable record" in promoting the borough through his work in the judiciary, education and other public service appointments.
Delivering the vote of thanks to the retiring mayor, Councillor Dave Bolton said Councillor Burton had been a "great ambassador" for North East Lincolnshire.
In his speech, Councillor Burton reflected on an eventful year in which he had attended just over 500 engagements.
They included a trip on the Humber Lifeboat, a visit to Cleethorpes's twin town Konigswinter, the Queen's garden party at Burghley House and the arrival of the Olympic torch in Cleethorpes.
He paid heartfelt tributes to his wife Audrey, who served as mayoress, his "A-team" of PA Karen Weir, town hall manager Paul Wisken and mayor's sergeant Ben Lucas, his chaplain the Rev Andrew Dodd, and his council colleagues.
He said: "We have had a wonderful year. It has been an honour and a privilege to serve this borough."
