A NEW "younger" mayor has thanked his fellow councillors and said he will be fun like his predecessor. 

Peter Chapman was elected as the town council’s only independent councillor in May 2019.

And now he has been appointed as the Burgess Hill Town Mayor at the annual meeting of the Town Council. 

He will be replacing the outgoing mayor Anne Eves who served in the role during the 2021 to 2022 council year. Cllr Janice Henwood remains Deputy Mayor. 

The Argus:

Peter Chapman said: “It's great that Burgess Hill Town Council has finally given the youth a chance by installing a Mayor under the age of 40, I’m 39.

“I’m really thankful to my fellow councillors for entrusting me with this position and to the public for their continued support. 

“For years I had sat at the back of the chamber, reporting on the meetings and asking awkward questions; now I have a seat at the top of the table, it’s quite surreal and unbelievable really. 

“Cllr Eves was a really fun Mayor who connected with the public and I will absolutely carry on in the same vein. 

“As I come with the bonus of a significant following on social platforms, I’m intrigued to see what kind of engagements the community groups and local businesses will send my way.

“I’ll be sure to give them good coverage.

“I’m really looking forward to the Queen’s Jubilee events taking place in town between Wednesday 1 to Sunday, June 5. I'd best learn how to write speeches rather quick.”

Outgoing Mayor Anne Eves said: “It was an enormous pleasure and privilege to be Mayor of Burgess Hill.

"I met so many different people, attended over 50 events and loved every minute of it.

“I am excited to hand over to a much younger mayor, a man who is Burgess Hill born-and-bred, with a vast acquaintance, a superb memory, and an impressive command of the intricacies of social media. 

“Cllr Chapman is fiercely devoted to his town and will be an excellent representative of its population.”