Kirstie Edwards voted as Falmouth mayor elect by council

At last night’s meeting of Falmouth Town Council, councillors voted to nominate Cllr Edwards as mayor elect with the appointment verified at the mayor making ceremony in May.

This will make Cllr Edwards the first woman mayor since Maureen Davies in 2005, who died recently.

Maureen Davies, who was mayor in 2005, died this year (Image: Newsquest)

Nominating Cllr Edwards, current mayor Cllr Steve Eva said they had worked well together as a team over the past two years.

“I know you’ve only come onto the council two years ago but you have made huge strides in that time,” he said.

“I believe it would be nice to have a female mayor for once, it’s been a long time since we’ve had one.”

Seconding the proposal Cllr Jude Robinson said they had all stood and “watched in awe” as Cllr Edwards had performed her duties as deputy mayor “with great skill, grace and generosity to the people of Falmouth.”

Councillors voted to nominate Cllr Edwards as mayor elect with only Cllr Dave Saunby voting against.

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Speaking to the Packet after the meeting, Cllr Edwards told the Packet: "I’m really happy to have got  the support of councillors across the town and am honoured to be trusted with this important role. I will always do my best to be fair and kind and ensure all voices are heard and held with equal value. 

"I’m  deeply committed to Falmouth and our community here and hope to build upon the work I’ve done to date. I plan to balance upholding the civic traditions we all value so much but also look forward to making some positive changes.

"Steve have done a tremendous job and paved the way for me to do just that- he’s positive and kind and is so widely respected and liked -these are big  shoes to fill. As I said rather tearfully last night - I value his mentorship so very much- he’s given me the confidence to do and be exactly who I am. 

"I’ll be the 176th Mayor of Falmouth and I think only the third or fourth women and the certainly the youngest women, at almost 45! Also the first with a young family. The role will look different because of that, but we have an incredible and diverse team of councillors in Falmouth and I believe together we will do a Great  job." 

Councillors also voted to nominate Cllr Alan Rowe, who currently chairs the planning committee, as deputy mayor elect with two abstentions.

The Annual General Meeting of the members of the council takes place in the Municipal Buildings Council Chamber, in May every year.

It is at this meeting that there is a mayor making ceremony. This is where the town mayor and deputy town mayor are officially appointed and so begin their civic year. At this point councillors could change theirs and not vote the nominated people in.