New Chairman Elected (19/05/06)

It was all change at South Beds District Council on Thursday evening (18 May) as Councillor Pat Hamill was elected its new Chairman at the annual meeting of the council. Councillor Beryl Meakins was elected vice chairman.

Councillor Hamill has lived in Houghton Regis for 34 years with wife Debie and children Marc, Vicky and Alex. He has two grandchildren, Callum, 10, and Holly, 2.

He was first elected to the District Council in 1995, when he represented Parkside (formerly known as Houghton East) for seven years. He currently represents Houghton Hall, following his election to the seat in 2003.

In his year as Chairman, Councillor Hamill hopes to raise the profile of South Bedfordshire and raise money for his chosen charities: DADDS (Dunstable and District Disabled Sports); the Parksiders Physically Disabled Club based in Houghton Regis; the NSPCC; and the National Phobic Society, a charity close to Councillor Hamills heart, which offers support and help to people living with phobias.

He said: "I am very honoured to have been elected Chairman of the Council and am looking forward to my year ahead. I hope to emulate those who have gone before me to promote the council and district successfully. South Bedfordshire is a great place to live and with so many exciting projects taking place, including the opening of the Grove Theatre, it will certainly be a year to remember."

As well as his duties as Chairman, Councillor Hamill has a number of other interests that keep him busy. He is the co-director of an online company, Lyric Auction, a free website where people can log on to access music by unsigned bands in the UK and Ireland, as well as make bookings to see them perform live. He is also an administrator and adviser to www.badas.ik.com, which offers free advice to people suffering with agoraphobia.

Councillor Hamill is currently training to be a driving instructor and is taking a Sage book keeping course and a management toolkit course.

Outgoing Chairman, Councillor Spurr has raised over 5,000 for Keech Cottage Childrens Hospice and local voluntary groups and organisations.

He said: "I had an excellent year as Chairman, it was a privilege to represent such a good council. I was given the opportunity to see so many successful projects that are going on in the district and meet a huge number of local people who dedicate their time for good causes. Id like to thank everyone who contributed to my charities and made my year such a pleasure."