New era of community focus as Bridgnorth elects new mayor
Bridgnorth has ushered in a new civic year with the election of Councillor Chris Aked as Town Mayor.
At a formal ceremony held at the Town Hall, attended by visiting dignitaries and local community representatives, Cllr Aked officially took over the chains of office from the outgoing mayor, Cllr David Cooper. Joining him in a leadership role for the coming year is Cllr Nicky Cooper, who was elected as Deputy Mayor.
During his inaugural address, the new Mayor set out a clear vision for his term, placing "meaningful community engagement" at the very heart of the council’s agenda. Cllr Aked emphasised his desire to create more robust opportunities for residents, local businesses, and community organisations to play an active part in local decision-making and civic life, ultimately aiming to build stronger connections across the whole of Bridgnorth.
The Mayor brings a wealth of local experience to the role, with a history in the town dating back to 1982. A former business executive with Goodyear, Cllr Aked has been a member of the council since 2021. Beyond the council chamber, he is well known for his involvement with several local institutions, including the Bridgnorth Lions, the Bridgnorth and South Shropshire Crucial Crew, and the Friends of St Leonard’s Church.
Central to his plans for the town is a new three-year strategy, which was informed by a recent survey of local residents. Cllr Aked noted that the feedback received was excellent and has allowed the council to plan more effectively. He stressed that this long-term approach would ensure residents fully understand the council's actions and the reasoning behind them.
While acknowledging the vibrancy of the town, Cllr Aked did not shy away from the hurdles ahead. He highlighted several pressing issues, including the new housing developments on the town’s periphery and the increasing requests for assistance from Shropshire Council. Furthermore, he noted the vital importance of supporting high street businesses by boosting tourism and attracting more visitors to the area.
Several significant infrastructure projects remain under review, including the long-term refurbishment of the Town Hall and the essential maintenance of the Castle ruins. However, the Mayor shared positive news regarding the completion of the retaining wall renovation. With that major project concluded, the council is now turning its attention to improving local amenities, specifically the provision of new public toilets on Innage Lane.
Looking ahead to his engagements, Cllr Aked expressed his enthusiasm for collaborating with Bridgnorth’s diverse array of sporting clubs, arts organisations, and youth groups such as the scouts and guides. He also announced that his chosen charities for the mayoral year will be Hope House and Severn Hospice, two organisations that provide critical support to the local region.
