Sylvia Gillard elected as new Council Speaker
Councillor Sylvia Gillard has been elected as the new Speaker of
Bedford Borough Council.
At the Annual Council Meeting on Wednesday 9th May, Cllr Gillard
was elected to succeed Councillor Mohammed Yasin with Councillor
Mark Smith appointed as Deputy Speaker.
Councillor Gillard has represented residents in Bedford Borough
as an elected member of three different local authorities. She was
elected to North Bedfordshire Borough Council in 1987 and served
for four years, including spells as Deputy Mayor and Mayor. She was
later elected to Bedfordshire County Council in 2004 and
continued until Bedford Borough Council became a unitary authority
in 2009. She continues to represent the Goldington Ward.
Councillor Gillard commented: “I am delighted to be elected as
Speaker for Bedford Borough Council and I hope I can perform the
role with the same distinction as Cllr Yasin, who has done an
excellent job for the past year.
“I will continue to work hard to represent the residents of
Goldington and I look forward to taking on the extra role of
Speaker for the coming year.”
Councillor Mark Smith was elected Deputy Speaker. Cllr Smith has
been a member of Bedford Borough Council for a total of 14 years,
representing Wootton, Turvey and now Kempston Rural.
Cllr Smith added: “I would like to congratulate Cllr Gillard for
her election as Speaker and I am sure she will do a great job over
the course of the coming year. I am very pleased to have been
given the chance to become Deputy Speaker and I am looking forward
to fulfilling my responsibilities in this prestigious
role.”