TOM Deakin will continue as the leader of Taunton Town Council for the coming year.

Last year, Cllr Deakin (Lib Dem, Obridge) became the first ever leader of the new council, formed after the abolition of Taunton Deane Borough Council when the unitary Somerset Council came into being.

And he was re-elected to the role at a meeting of the full council on Tuesday night (May 21).

Cllr Amber Packer-Hughes (Lib Dem, Vivary) was elected as the new deputy leader, taking over from Cllr Martin Straus (Lib Dem, Halcon & Lane), who has become deputy mayor of Taunton.

Leader, Cllr Deakin, said: “It is an honour and privilege to have been unanimously elected leader of Taunton Town Council for another year by my fellow councillors.

“We have achieved so much in the past year and will be able to deliver so much more for our community in the coming 12 months.”

New deputy, Cllr Packer-Hughes, said: “I feel so honoured to have been elected as deputy leader of Taunton Town Council, supporting Cllr Deakin in his second year as leader.

“I stood as a councillor because I feel passionate about making positive changes for Taunton.

“As deputy leader and chair of both the Personnel and Grants committees, I have the opportunity to harness this passion for both the residents of my ward and the wider community.”

Taunton Town Council leader, Tom Deakin, left, and deputy Amber Packer-Hughes. Pictures: Taunton Town Council

The elections came after Cllr Vanessa Garside (Lib Dem, Wilton & Sherford) became the new mayor of Taunton during the council’s Annual Meeting, at Taunton Minster, on May 14.

Cllr Garside said: “The future looks promising for Taunton. I, with the help of the civic team and the council, will do my utmost to promote Taunton and its residents.

“Unity, inclusion and creativity are important, which is why I am delighted to have Diversity Voice as the Mayoral charity for this year.

“The upcoming Taunton Together event at the end of September will also promote these crucial values.”