Council votes on mayor

The Liberal Democrat was unanimously voted-in for the year-long term at a meeting of Worthing Borough Council on Tuesday night.

From June this year, Mr Donin will work as deputy mayor alongside current mayor Bob Smytherman’s successor, Vic Walker.

Speaking after the meeting, a delighted Mr Donin said he would work hard to serve the residents of the town.

He said: “I am very happy, proud, pleased and honoured to be selected as the future mayor of Worthing.

“It’s going to be a great time and I am going to try my best to be up to the challenge.”

Mr Donin, who is Canadian by origin, has been a councillor since the 2006 election.

His selection came after council leader and Conservative Paul Yallop tabled a joint proposal at the meeting, alongside Liberal Democrat head Alan Rice.

In proposing him, Mr Rice said: “I know he wasn’t born and bred in Worthing but he is quite welcome to become our mayor.”

While the mayor is often selected from the majority party, Mr Donin is a member of the opposition.

He will become the second Liberal Democrat mayor to hold the post in three years, following after Mr Smytherman.

Mr Donin said: “After almost 10 years as a councillor, I am going to be very honoured to be mayor, and I will do my best to promote Worthing and try and make Worthing as successful as possible in becoming the primary town on the south coast.”

Mr Donin was congratulated by Mr Smytherman after the meeting but the current mayor said he would not give advice unless requested.

He said: “He was really chuffed afterwards and I think this will be a nice thing to do towards the end of his political career.

“I think he will be a great asset to the town and I am sure he is the first Canadian mayor of the town.

“I won’t offer advice unless he asks as you have to be yourself and make the role your own. It is demanding but extremely enjoyable.”