Four new town councillors selected by secret ballot (From Western Telegraph)

Four new town councillors selected by secret ballot

10:30am Friday 29th June 2012 in Milford Haven

MILFORD Haven Town council welcomed four new members on Monday night following a secret ballot.

Existing town councillors were asked to select four of the nine applicants to fill the vacant positions following the May local elections.

Milford Haven County councillor Stephen Joseph was named the new town councillor for the central ward.

He said he thinks it will benefit both the council and himself, and offer continuity to residents in the ward, by being both the town and county councillor.

“I am loving my role as county councillor and I am now looking forward to being part of the town council team,” he said.

Dan Mills was co-opted as new town councillor for the East Ward.

The 27-year-old store manager said he learnt a lot about the issues important to Milford Haven residents after unsuccessfully standing for a county council seat in the May local elections.

Cllr Mills said: “I am delighted to have been given this opportunity “Milford Haven has so much potential but is often overlooked.”

Top of Cllr Mills’ priorities is the revitalisation of the town centre.

The second new East Ward town councillor is Matthew Rickard. from Westhill. a travel manager at Silcox coaches in Pembroke Dock.

“I want to make a difference.

My children are very involved in their school council activities and I met the mayor last year and it looks like there is a good team at the council.

“A lot has happened over the last few years in terms of degeneration, but there is plenty that can be done and if I can help I will,” he said.

New Hubberston councillor Julie Hawkins (not pictured), who has lived in Hubberston for 33 years, says she believed it was important that someone from the ward who knows the issues facing residents was on the town council.

Cllr Hawkins says she plans to fight for Hubberston’s ‘share of the pot’ and wants to tackle issues such as parking.

“We need someone who will speak for us,” she said.

Milford Haven Mayor Guy Woodham said: “I’m delighted to welcome four new members to the town council. I wish them every success.

“With a full council membership of 18, I look forward to the future in the confidence we can move forward in a positive way, with the best interests of the town always at the heart of what we do.”