Youthful new deputy mayor announced

The accent will be on youth when the Royal Borough's new deputy mayor is formally appointed tomorrow.

Cllr James Evans - who represents Clewer South ward as a Conservative - is expected to be appointed at an extraordinary council meeting and will serve until the end of the municipal year on May 20. 

The 32-year-old's appointment follows the shock resignation as deputy mayor last month by Cllr John Lenton (Con, Horton and Wraysbury) who had been expected to serve in the role until then.

He stood down after failing to be elected by his colleagues as the borough's next mayor.

Cllr Evans was the youngest borough councillor when he was elected in 2007 and was nominated as deputy mayor by equally youthful colleague Cllr Natasha Airey.

He is chairman of the Royal Borough's cycling forum and a governor at Hilltop First School. The former Eton College student and graduate of Peterhouse, Cambridge, will assist the Mayor of Windsor and Maidenhead Cllr Andrew Jenner in the busy diary of civic and ceremonial engagements until May 20.

Cllr Evans says his new role will give him opportunities to use his passion for cycling and get more people involved in pedal power.

He said: “As a keen cyclist and chairman of the cycling forum I also hope to act as a role model both for a new generation and for cycle-shy older residents, inspiring them to get on their bikes.”

He regularly cycles to council meetings.

Outside his council duties, Cllr Evans is involved in a range of community groups, including Spencer Denney Age Concern, the Berkshire Record Office and the scouts. He is an amateur poet, actor, singer and historian. He also plays rugby and badminton.