The Mayor

Biographical Information for the Mayor of Great Yarmouth Borough, Councillor Penny Carpenter

After retiring from the public sector in 2013, Cllr Carpenter brings a wealth of experience to the role, having served on Great Yarmouth Borough Council for many years working tirelessly to improve the town for its residents.

The Mayor and her family were regular visitors to Great Yarmouth when they played in the Police Ten Pin Bowling competitions and enjoyed what the borough had to offer, especially its miles of golden beaches.

Her Worship now lives in Belton, where she has a daughter and a grandson, after retiring to Great Yarmouth.

The Mayor began to get to know the borough after becoming employed as the Car Clear Officer for Norfolk Constabulary and Great Yarmouth Borough Council. After that, she then moved into Norfolk Constabulary as a Crime Reduction Officer and worked from Haven Bridge House, making connections that grew in her role as a borough Councillor.

As Mayor of the borough, Cllr Carpenter chairs full council meetings and helps raise money for her chosen charities, which include Marie Curie in GY & Waveney (community care), 1st Caister-on-Sea Scout Group, Caister Lifeboat and Redwings Horse Sanctuary.

The Mayor said about their chosen charities: "All of my chosen charities are special to me. As a recovering cancer patient, I appreciate the care and support Marie Curie provide for people living with terminal illness, I have always been impressed by the excellent work of Caister Scout group and of course Caister Lifeboat Service is a valued and respected organisation whose members put their own lives at risk to rescue others.

"My last charity, Redwings, look after and support beautiful horses, nursing the magnificent creatures back to health and ensuring there are protected and safe.

"I applaud all the work these charities do and I am delighted to support them in my Mayoral year."

As Mayor, she will work to ensure that Great Yarmouth continues to thrive and grow, and that the needs of its residents are always at the forefront of decision making.

Speaking about her new role, Her Worship said: "When I retired from Norfolk Constabulary, a friend suggested that I might like to go into local politics and after being elected back in May 2015 I have not looked back since. I believe my previous working life was in preparation to work as a Councillor which is varied and every day is a new challenge. I feel very fortunate to represent Caister at County Level and only very recently was re -elected to again represent Caister North.

"I am honoured to have been elected as the new Mayor of Great Yarmouth. I am committed to working with my fellow councillors and the local community to ensure that our town continues to flourish and that we address the challenges we face. Great Yarmouth is a wonderful place to live, work and visit, and I look forward to helping to make it an even better place in the years to come."

Her Worship will be accompanied to events and occasions by the Mayor's Consort, Councillor Graham Carpenter.

The Mayor acts as Chairman of the Council and has to attend all full Council and special Council meetings.

The Mayor is invited to many different functions within the Borough, and represents Great Yarmouth when visiting other parts of the county.

The Mayor has to be apolitical and not enter into any political debates.

The position of Mayor alternates between the political parties in power - the Mayor is not elected.

Mayor making takes places in May every year with a ceremony at the Town Hall.

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