Taunton to be Somerset's only major town wiithout a mayor

The first citizen serves a population of more than 100,000 across Taunton Deane, but Cllr Catherine Herbert (Conservative) will be the last mayor of the patch when she takes up her year in office next month.

That's because Taunton Deane Borough Council is being axed ahead of a merger next April with West Somerset Council to form a new council, which is unlikely to appoint a mayor.

If the new authority is a district council, which seems probable, it could not legally have a mayor.

It would be unlikely the new council would apply for borough status in order to have a mayor as the extent of the territory it covers would probably be considered too large.

Taunton, unlike Wellington, Watchet and Minehead, does not have a town mayor. Yeovil, Weston-super-Mare and Burnham-on-Sea also have mayors.

Cllr Libby Lisgo (Labour), who undertook the role in the Deane in 2013-14, is campaigning for the creation of a Taunton town council and with it a town mayor.

She said: "Taunton is the county town and should have its own council with a mayor.

"Some of the former mayors of Taunton Deane are cross there won't be a mayor in the future. Most people are unaware of it."

Libby Lisgo and her consort Alan Britton.

Current mayor Cllr Hazel Prior-Sankey (LibDem), who was also Mayoress in 2002-03, when her husband, Adrian, was mayor, said losing the position would be "a sad miss" for Taunton.

She added: "As you do the civic year as the first citizen figurehead, it sets the scene and tone for events.

"We know there won't be a mayor in the short-term.

"If a town council is created, they may decide to have a mayor, but that would be some way down the line if it does happen."

Current mayor Hazel Prior-Sankey (right) with her successor Catherine Herbert.

Cllr Dave Durdan (Conservative), who served from 2014-15, said: "Taunton is the county town and should have a mayor.

"It's all about the status of the town and the kudos and publicity it brings. It's a great asset.

"If it's good for Wellington and other towns, it's good for Taunton."

Dace Durdan with his mayoress, wife Renee Durdan.

A Taunton Deane Borough Council spokeswoman said a group of councillors has been looking at whether the new council should be a district or a borough.

She said: "Only a borough council can have a mayor. Present legislation allows that any district council can apply to become a borough council.

"The new council will be able apply for borough status. The mayoralty is intrinsically linked to borough status."