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South Tyneside's New Mayor
Press release
The new Mayor of South Tyneside, Councillor Eileen Leask (right), and Mayoress, Councillor Olive Punchion (left).
The new Mayor of South Tyneside is Councillor Eileen Leask who represents Horsley Hill ward in South Shields.
Councillor Leask was presented with the chains of office by the outgoing Mayor Councillor Jim Sewell at the Annual Meeting of the Council yesterday (Tuesday 15th May).
Councillor Leask was born and bred in South Shields and still lives in the childhood home where she was raised from the age of five.
She was first elected to the Council in June 2004 and served as Deputy Mayor last year
Councillor Leask said: "I'm absolutely honoured to become Mayor.
"This is such an exciting time for South Tyneside, with so much change and regeneration.
"It's wonderful that in a time of recession we are actually creating jobs.
"I am very much looking forward to meeting the Queen and think that will undoubtedly be the highlight of the year for me.
"I would like to thank the outgoing mayor Jim Sewell and his wife Rosemary for the kindness they have shown to me and the help they have given me."
The new Mayoress is Councillor Olive Punchion who represents the Biddick and All Saints Ward. Councillor Ernest Gibson, who represents the Whiteleas ward, was appointed Deputy Mayor.
Cabinet posts are as follows:
- Leader: Councillor Iain Malcolm
- Deputy Leader: Councillor Alan Kerr
- Resources and Innovation: Councillor Ed Malcolm
- Regeneration and Economy: Councillor Michael Clare
- Housing and Transport: Councillor Jim Foreman
- Area Management and Community Safety: Councillor Tracey Dixon
- Children, Young People and Families: Councillor Joan Atkinson
- Health and Wellbeing: Councillor Allan West
- Adult Social Care and Support Services: Councillor Emma Lewell-Buck
A full list of all council committees and appointments to serve on outside bodies is available on the Council's website www.southtyneside.info/councillors
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