THE mayor of Penzance, Stephen Reynolds, has been re-elected for the third year in a row, describing it as a “great privilege”.

At the 45th Annual Mayor Choosing Ceremony of Penzance Council held in St John’s Hall on May 19, Cllr Reynolds received a standing ovation as he took office for the third consecutive year – the first mayor of Penzance to do so in 60 years.

With a unanimous decision from the newly elected Council members, Stephen Reynolds thanked his fellow councillors, and, addressing the hall full of guests, continued: “It’s something special being a councillor.

The 45th Annual Mayor Choosing Ceremony of Penzance Council held in St John's Hall, Penzance, on Monday 19 May 2025. Photo by Penzance Council
The 45th Annual Mayor Choosing Ceremony of Penzance Council was held in St John's Hall (Picture: Penzance Council)

“I took that step four years ago, and I didn’t know where that journey would lead. I certainly didn’t think it would lead here – neither did some of you, I think! But here I am, and it makes me think - what is a council?

“A council is a group of citizens who step forward to give something to their community. In our case as town councillors, we do this free of charge, because we want to do things for our community, make our community a better place, and support our community.

Civic Deputy Cllr Penny Osborne, Town Clerk James Hardy, Mayor of Penzance Stephen Reynolds, Deputy Mayor Nicole Broadhurst, Civic Deputy Bonnie Jackson. The 45th Annual Mayor Choosing Ceremony of Penzance Council held in St John's Hall, Penzance, on Monday 19 May 2025. Photo by Penzance Council
Civic deputy Penny Osborne, town clerk James Hardy, mayor of Penzance Stephen Reynolds, deputy mayor Nicole Broadhurst, civic deputy Bonnie Jackson (Picture: Penzance Council)

“A council is a way of achieving things collectively, which individual citizens on their own cannot achieve. We pool our resources to provide services to local people, to help those people who are struggling in difficulty, and to protect our community against powerful vested interests, who might not be acting in our best interests.

“Being a councillor is a wonderful thing to do, and I thank you all – all those who served in the last council, and all the present councillors for stepping forward.”

Petty Officer Juliet Scanlon, Mayor’s Cadet Thomas Kirk, Town Clerk James Hardy, Mayor of Penzance Stephen Reynolds, Citizen of the Year Vernon Durrant, Humphry Davy Prize winner Isla Mulholland, Young Citizen of the Year Jack James. The 45th Annual Mayor Choosing Ceremony of Penzance Council held in St John's Hall, Penzance, on Monday 19 May 2025. Photo by Penzance Council
Petty officer Juliet Scanlon, Mayor’s Cadet 2025/26 Thomas Kirk, town clerk James Hardy, mayor of Penzance Stephen Reynolds, Citizen of the Year Vernon Durrant, Humphry Davy Prize winner Isla Mulholland, Young Citizen of the Year Jack James. (Picture: Penzance Council)

Joining Cllr Reynolds, Cllr Nicole Broadhurst was elected as deputy mayor, Councillors Bonnie Jackson and Penny Osborne were elected as civic deputies, and, to rapturous applause, Phil Northcott was once again appointed as town crier of Penzance.

With the Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Civic Deputies now elected, Penzance Council is inviting local residents to the Annual Town Meeting in St John’s Hall at 7pm on Thursday, May 29, where members of the public will have the opportunity to ask questions following presentations on topics concerning the future of Penzance – including Market House, Anti-Social Behaviour, the Sustainable Travel Network, and other projects in the parish.