From the WMDC Press and Communications Office
Wakefield's
new Deputy Mayor has been nominated in advance of the Mayor Making
ceremony in May. Labour councillor for
Pontefract South, Jim Nicholson, has been nominated for the role and could
take over from current deputy Councillor Darran Travis when he becomes
Mayor. This will follow a vote by councillors at the May ceremony. The
nomination was announced at today's (Wednesday, February 8) Council
meeting.
Councillor
Nicholson was first elected in 1999 to represent the Castleford and Ferry
Fryston ward before the boundary change in 2004, he was elected in 2004 to
represent Pontefract South.
He
lives in the ward with his wife Eileen, a retired senior mistress at
King's High School, Pontefract, where he is currently a governor. He is
also governor at Wakefield Pathways special needs school in Townville.
They have a daughter, Sally-Ann, and a late son, Guy, who died in 2004.
The
councillor is now retired after working for 32 years at Hicksons in
Castleford.
He
serves on the Regeneration Board, is a nominated member on the Wakefield
District Housing Board and Deputy Cabinet Member for Adults and Health.
Councillor
Nicholson is the chairman of trustees for Age Concern Wakefield District
and is an active member of several town action groups in Pontefract.
He
said: "I am proud and honoured to have been nominated to serve as
Deputy Mayor and eventually Mayor of Wakefield."
At
the ceremony Councillor Darran Travis will take the chains of office as
Mayor for the District in May with his wife Yvonne, the Deputy Mayoress,
becoming the Mayoress. They will take over the office from Councillor
David Hopkins and his wife Mrs Brigid Hopkins.
Councillor
Travis was elected in 2000 and represents Altofts and Whitwood for Labour.
He has two children - Lauren and Rachel - and is chairman of governors at
Three Lane Ends Primary School, and Honorary President of Cystic Fibrosis
Support Group.
He
is also a junior football referee in the Charles Rice League, a member of
the West Yorkshire Fire Authority and the Humberside Regional Management
Board.
Council
Leader Peter Box said: "These are two very conscientious councillors
who will represent the Council well in their civic duties."
Ref:
PR710
08/02/2006
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