Councillors agreed to defer the Congleton Town Council Annual Meeting and Mayor Making until May next year.

The annual meeting of the town council is a legal requirement and Congleton's was due to take place on the 21st May 2020. Cllr Sally Ann Holland, the current Town Mayor, will remain in the post until May 2021.

But, due to the coronavirus pandemic the legal requirement was relaxed, and councils have been given the option to defer the annual meeting back to May 2021.

Congleton Town Council agreed to take this approach at Thursday's town council meeting, which was conducted via Zoom.

In a report by Chief Officer, David McGifford, he stated: "Mayor Making is very much a civic event which is a proud moment for both the outgoing and incoming mayors, which is celebrated with other civic dignitaries, family members and interested members of the public. Due to social distancing measures it is not possible to effectively hold this event.

"On an operational basis, many of the standard civic duties of mayor include opening events and fetes, visiting schools and representing the town and various civic gatherings. Due to the current restrictions in place the incoming mayor would not be enjoying a key part of the role for the foreseeable future.

"Importantly, due to the current crisis it is felt that there is a need for stability at the council and the mayor is the figurehead of the council and has been heavily involved in the work undertaken by officers during this period and continuity during this difficult time is vital for the council and its officers."