DAVID TUTT, LEADER OF EBC: Thanks to everybody in Eastbourne who voted in the elections

My thanks go to everyone who voted, as I believe, that to maintain a democratic society, it is important that we all exercise our right to choose those who we wish to make decisions over our lives.

My special thanks go to the residents of St Anthony’s Ward who voted for me - I will do my very best to represent you.

The outcome of the elections left the Conservatives in control of East Sussex as a whole, but with Eastbourne sending six Liberal Democrats and three Conservatives to County Hall.

During recent weeks, the rate of Covid infections has continued to fall and currently Eastbourne is amongst the lowest levels in the country.

These lower rates, linked to the success of the vaccination programme, have brought greater freedoms.

Last Saturday I really enjoyed being able to have lunch on the terrace of the Beach Deck, watching the waves roll in.

If things continue to go well, we will soon be able to meet in larger groups and to go back inside pubs and restaurants.

It has been so pleasing to be able to see friends and family in person again.

If we continue to take precautions, such as the wearing of masks, we just might be through the worst of the pandemic in this country.

Now the task becomes one of rebuilding the economy.

Eastbourne Borough Council is due to hold its annual meeting next Wednesday when a new mayor and deputy mayor will be elected.

Upperton lynchpin Pat Rodohan is being proposed as mayor.

Pat has been a councillor for many years and is highly deserving of this honour.

He will be supported by his wife Barbara, who will be the new mayoress.

As his deputy, Pat will have Helen Burton.

Helen is already very well known in voluntary circles in the town, leading Eastbourne Volunteers and establishing the Langney Larder at Langney Community Centre.

Congratulations to them both, I know that they will make a great team.

My thanks go to outgoing mayor and deputy, Steve Wallis, and Sammy Choudhury, for the splendid work that they have done over the past two years, particularly given the difficult circumstances in the past 12 months resulting from the lockdowns.

Stay safe!