Aberystwyth has a new mayor, after the chain was handed over virtually at an online meeting on Monday.

Cllr Alun Williams told Aberystwyth Town Council members at the annual general meeting that it was an “absolute honour” to take over the role from Cllr Charlie Kingsbury and to serve in the role for 2022-23.

At the meeting on 24 May, the outgoing mayor Cllr Kingsbury reflected on what was a “tough year for everyone”.

“It is not the same prestigious setting [for the mayoral handover] as normal,” he told the meeting.

“It’s been a difficult year for us as it has been for everyone.

“I haven’t been able to do all the things that are expected of the town mayor, but it has still been a successful and busy year.”

Cllr Talat Chaudhri thanked Cllr Kingsbury, saying he was an “excellent mayor” during “one of the most difficult mayoral years in many years”.

Cllr Williams, who was nominated by Cllr Chaudhri and seconded by Cllr Dylan Wilson-Lewis, thanked the outgoing mayor, and said it was be an “honour” to take up the role.

Cllr Williams told members he was “honoured and enormously grateful for the opportunity to be mayor of Aberystwyth”.

“I don’t know how the year’s going to go - in terms of mayoral activities it looks as if it’ll at least start off rather like the last one,” he said.

“But, to the extent that it’s possible to give a lead on behalf of the town, I want to focus on Covid recovery - both economically and socially - and the continuing development of Aberystwyth as an environmentally friendly town and a leader in thinking of the wellbeing of future generations.

“Of course we have our fantastic landscape setting and scenery here.

“But one of the things I love most about the town is what I would describe as the wonderful harmonious diversity that we have.

“We have - I believe - a quite unique mix of people and social groups in Aberystwyth, all existing in parallel, some never consciously interacting, perhaps hardly noticing when they pass in the street. “And yet there’s a kind of unspoken consensus here - a spirit if you like - that this is a harmonious, helpful and kind community that accepts everyone of good intent and is always prepared to work together.

“All these people go to make Aberystwyth the wonderful unique town that it is.

“I’ll be keeping every one of them in mind during my term as Mayor and I’ll do my absolute best to represent them.”

Cllr Chaudhri, who has previously served as both deputy mayor and mayor, was installed as the deputy mayor for 2022-23.

He was proposed by Cllr Jeff Smith, with the new mayor Cllr Williams seconding.

Elsewhere at the AGM, the four previous mayors on the council were also presented with newly made mayoral medals, specially commissioned by the council to mark the role.