New Lymington and Pennington mayor Jack Davies hangs robes picture in toilet of Lymington Taxis

A PHOTO of new Lymington and Pennington mayor Jack Davies in his regal robes is now hanging in pride of place in the toilet of Lymington Taxis where he has worked for nine years.

Jack, a cab dispatcher, said he is “very proud” to be honoured in such a way, adding: “The day I became mayor the drivers were Googling how they should address me, and apparently it is as ‘Mr Mayor’ which is how they respond to me now.

“There are a great bunch of people who have been very supportive.”

At 27 Jack, a Lib Dem councillor, is believed to be the youngest ever mayor of Lymington and Pennington. His deputy is Cllr Colm McCarthy,

Jack said he is “absolutely delighted” to have become mayor: “It is a real honour. To be honest, we never expected to take control of the council, so this has all come as a bit of a shock. It has been a bit of a whirlwind.

“But I am so excited for the future.”

The recent local elections saw the Lib Dems win eight out of 15 seats on the council, with the Conservatives five, and one each for Independent and Pennington Community candidates.

Jack, known for his light-hearted posts on social media to highlight issues, says he wants to “throw open the council to public scrutiny”.

He explained: “I want there to be much more engagement with the public. For too long decisions have been taken behind closed doors without the public, or even other councillors, being involved.

“I want to be a figurehead for a council that works together. I want to make sure the public are consulted much more and that they have a greater say in what the council is doing.”

Jack says one of his top priorities for Lymington and Pennington is to put pressure on the district council and government for reforms of planning laws which have enabled “developers to have the final say on what gets built in our towns”.

He added: “There is an urgent need for affordable housing for local young people. The district council and the government need to reform the neighbour hood plan to allow this to happen.”

Thanking his supporters for voting him and his fellow Lib Dem councillors into power, he said: “It was quite clear that voters were hungry for change and want the town council run for the benefit of the people and not for a clique.”