MAYORS in Colwyn Bay and Conwy will remain in place to help see their town’s through the Coronavirus.

While it is usually time to pass on the chains of office, cllr Goronwy Edwards and cllr Neil Barstow will remain mayors of Conwy and Colwyn Bay until the end of the summer.

The move is in line with the Welsh Government’s legislation, brought in to help town councils adjust to current circumstances.

Cllr Edwards, who will remain in the post until August and is also titled Constable to Conwy Castle, said: “It’s been challenging times for everyone and also the Members and Officers of Conwy Town Council over the lockdown period, which has seen both residents and businesses come to a virtual standstill, with real concerns for the impact on the economy Conwy .

“However, Conwy Town Council held its first Council meeting since the lockdown began on Monday, may 18 by means of Zoom and it was very successful.

I was very proud to be able host was the VE Day 75th Commemorative Event, by the laying of a wreath at Bodlondeb (social distancing was of course observed). This has been my only Mayoral event since we went in to lockdown.

“I am happy to continue as the Mayor of Conwy until the AGM, which hopefully will be on the Monday, August 3 2020.”

Should Covid-19 restriction permit the AGM to proceed, cllr Edwards will be succeeded by Conwy ward County Borough councillor Emma Leighton-Jones.

Postponed until a date, to be determined, in September, cllr Barstow will pass on the role to deputy mayor Merrill Jones.

Colwyn Bay has formed a Pandemic Crisis Response team comprising of the chairs of policy and finance, general purpose and panning alongside the clerk and the mayor.

This team allows us to carry out our statutory responsibilities and allows us to focus on dispersing urgent grants to organisations making PPE for the NHS and to foodbanks as well as volunteer organisations .

Cllr Barstow said: “It has been decided that for the time being I shall stay in post with an intention to convene a full council meeting around September time to elect the new mayor.

“This is all hypothetical at the moment as we are subject to prevailing conditions. From my prospective I am happy to continue so long as the situation demands. We are living in times when the “Norm” is no longer normal so we have to be proactive and adaptive.”

While Llandudno Town Council has cancelled it’s Mayor Making ceremony on Friday, May 22, it is yet to make a decision on how to proceed with extending cllr Angela O’Grady ‘s term.

A spokesperson for Llandudno Town Council said; “Due to the ongoing concerns associated with Covid-19 and the continued social distance requirements, it was with great regret that Llandudno Town Council had to cancel the AGM and Mayor Making Ceremony .

“The timing of the Mayoral succession is still under discussion.”