After more than 350 civic engagements Kirklees Mayor Clr Martyn Bolt is handing over the mayoral chain.

His final engagement was to West Yorkshire Police’s logistic centre where he saw the force helicopter and dogs.

It ends just over a year of dedicating himself to community causes, support by wife Liz.

Clr Bolt said: “It has been far more interesting than I ever expected, I think as councillors we only ever saw the Mayor during ward visits and it was without appreciating the demand that there is from the community for mayoral visits.

“It’s been the opportunity to meet people from all walks of life and see all of the amazing work that is carried out by groups in Kirklees - from meeting schools and volunteers and being at the Examiner Community Awards, I have seen that Kirklees is propped up by some amazing people.”

Clr Bolt selected the One Community Foundation as his chosen charity - it’s a non-profit organisation that provides funding for voluntary community action in Kirklees.

He added: “There are so many deserving causes, but I picked One Community because it fills a gap I think there is in society, where small organisations need a little help with funding to make a big difference in their community.”

For the first time ever all proceeds went straight to One Community which has then been able to make donations throughout the year.

The Mirfield Conservative councillor offered his thanks to hie wife Liz, adding: “Our partners are usually removed from the spotlight, so to step up into the limelight is a big ask but Liz has enjoyed it and we owe a huge debt to all mayoresses and consorts for the way they support us.”

Clr Bolt, who never voted during his term as deputy and mayor and who rejected Kirklees’ cost of living allowance, said: “I don’t even know how much it was for. I knew it hadn’t been taken for a while before me and felt it would be inappropriate when councillors and the community are getting a freeze.”

Today he leaves the council chamber and Ashbrow’s Clr Ken Smith is to become Kirklees Mayor, supporting Kirkwood Hospice in his mayoral year, and Dewsbury East’s Clr Paul Kane becomes Deputy Mayor.

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