AT JUST 27 years old, town councillor William Elliott is set to become Milford Haven’s youngest deputy mayor.

At a meeting on April 27, councillors voted to elect Cllr Elliott – who represents the Hakin ward – as its next deputy.

He received eight votes, beating off competition from Cllrs Matthew Norman and Carol Stephens, who both received four votes each.

Cllr Elliott joined the council three years ago, and says he is very community focused, having been involved with Milford Haven Sea Cadets for 18 years.

He is currently reaching the end of a degree to become a primary school teacher, and also sits on the Board of Governors for the Meads Infants School and Milford Haven Junior School.

Cllr Elliott said he is looking forward to his year in office, getting involved in local events, and ‘meeting more of the brilliant community’.

“It is also exciting to think that I am the youngest Deputy Mayor that Milford Haven has seen so far and I hope it encourages anyone of any age, to consider applying for a position on the council,” he said.

Taking over from current mayor and local government stalwart Cllr Eric Harries will be father-of-four Cllr Stephen Joseph.

Cllr Joseph, 54, joined the town council in 2012, and also represents the central ward as an independent county councillor.

During his time as deputy mayor, he has helped set up the Nantucket Wailers community choir, and has led a campaign to clean up the Water Gardens on the Rath.

He was also involved in negotiations with the Port of Milford Haven to reconsider the demolition of the Old Docks Office to make way for its £70million ‘master plan’.

“I’m very proud to be given the chance to be Mayor of Milford Haven,” said Cllr Joseph.

“Although I was born in Broad Haven, I feel I was made in Milford Haven.”

Asked what he hopes to achieve during his time as mayor, he said: “I would like to open up the town council and make it more transparent to the public; make people more aware of what it does - and what it can do - for the town and its people.

He said he would also like to see more local people attending meetings, and taking part in debates.

The changeover will take place at the council’s AGM on Monday, May 18.