Mayor vows to promote town as he looks forward to year

New Worthing mayor for 2015/16 Michael Donin SUS-150526-121057001

WORTHING’S new mayor has pledged to ‘promote the aspirations’ of residents in his forthcoming year in office.

Canadian-born Michael Donin was elected to the ceremonial role on Friday at a special meeting of the borough council at Worthing Town Hall.

Outgoing mayor Vic Walker spoke of his honour of attending nearly 400 engagements in his time.

“It’s an amazing town,” he said.

“I have been so impressed with the people. Thank you all for electing me as mayor. It has been the greatest privilege.”

Mr Donin, councillor for Durrington, becomes the 99th mayor and will be joined by deputy mayor Sean McDonald, a former police officer and his deputy mayoress Vicky Vaughan.

Guests at the traditional mayor-making ceremony applauded as Mr Donin took the oath of office, dressed in the borough’s lavish mayoral attire.

Worthing and Adur will have a colonial feel this year, with Mr Donin’s chairman counterpart in Adur hailing from the Bahamas.