Drawing on career skills to serve the community

Image by John Wesley Barker via Flickr

Last year I realised a long-held ambition to become Mayor of Bournemouth, my home for the past 28 years, writes Councillor Beryl Baxter CMgr MCMI, deputy mayor of Bournemouth.

In May I relinquished my chain of office and am now deputy mayor, hosting civic events on behalf of my successor, Councillor Barry Goldbart, and attending events on his behalf when he is unable to do so because of prior commitments.

As the First Citizen of Bournemouth and representative of the Council I thoroughly enjoyed my year as ambassador, visiting many interesting places and meeting a huge number of committed people involved in the community, from business owners to the managers of our public services and the army of stalwart volunteers who organise and run local groups, societies and clubs.

This year Bournemouth is celebrating its bicentenary, which kicked off with a firework display on New Year’s Day. There are lots of events taking place, including tree planting, a pageant for girl guides, the finals of the National Bowls championships, art shows, fetes, a week-long carnival and, on 1 July, Avonbourne School is attempting to host the biggest video conference in the world. There is something for everyone in the programme and I am looking forward to being part of the continuing celebrations.

Tourism is essential to the economy of Bournemouth and last year we were thrilled to be voted top spot for ‘staycationers’ as the UK’s most holiday-friendly destination.

Beating 65 other popular getaways, Bournemouth triumphed in a survey, undertaken by Virgin Money Travel Insurance, aimed at finding the best places to holiday in the UK.

I first stood as a prospective councillor in 1999 and was elected in 2003. I have served on the planning board and developing communities & tackling crime panel. I’m currently a member of the adult & community services scrutiny panel. I have been a member of a number of management committees in my ward, Kinson South, and am the council’s representative for the twinning association. I’m also a governor at Elmrise Primary School.

I believe strongly in being the best that you can be, which is why I have studied management and am so delighted to have gained Chartered Manager status through CMI. I have been able to draw on the skills I have learned throughout my career in management, and my training, to lead the mayoral team and really get the best out of people. Without their skill, professionalism and support it would have been much harder to perform my ambassadorial role.

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