New Eastbourne mayor and deputy chosen

From Wednesday (May 19), Upperton councillor Pat Rodohan will become the town’s mayor with his Liberal Democrat colleague Helen Burton taking up the position of deputy-mayor.

Councillor Rodohan takes over from Steve Wallis, who has been the mayor for two years alongside deputy mayor Sammy Choudhury who is also stepping down after two years.

The appointments will be rubber-stamped at Eastbourne Borough Council’s annual meeting on Wednesday (May 19).

Council leader David Tutt said he was delighted to announce the appointments.

He described Councillor Rodohan as an “Upperton lynchpin” and said, “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 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.”