The new mayor and MP are making history at Nuneaton and Bedworth council

The new mayor and deputy of Nuneaton and Bedworth became history makers in the borough. Councilors Bill Hancox and Bhim Saru received the civic honors at the annual full council meeting at City Hall last night (May 15).

In doing so, both councilors wrote their names in district history. Councilman Bill Hancox became the only person in the city council’s 50-year history to serve as mayor three times.

Its deputy mayor, newly elected councilor Bhim Saru, also wrote a new chapter in the council’s history books. He is the first Nepali councilor and will eventually become the first Nepali mayor of the two cities.

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In his mayoral speech last night, Cllr Hancox, who is a representative for the Bede ward, paid tribute to his wife Sheila, who was unable to be there on the night, as well as his family. Among them are his grandchildren, one of whom raised many smiles in the council when he raised his hand to vote for his grandfather to become mayor.

“As mayor and mayoress, Sheila and I will do everything we can to be available to all residents, communities, businesses and charities,” he said. “We want to highlight all the positive aspects in the district.

“As a councilor and now mayor, I absolutely value the support of Sheila and family members. They have all had to act as unpaid secretaries to me over the years and suffer my absence at times due to council duties,” said the first living citizen of Coventry, but now of Bedworth.

He added: “Tonight is a new opportunity for everyone elected to this council to work together positively and take Nuneaton and Bedworth forward into a positive new future.” During his first term as Mayor in 2013, Cllr Hancox raised money for the George Eliot Hospital and this included becoming the first citizen to climb the Snowdonia ladder to raise money.

Then in his last term as mayor in 2017 he bravely took part in the wingwalk for his chosen charity – the lymphoedema clinic serving Nuneaton, Bedworth and much further afield. He told the boardroom last night that he had not yet chosen the charity to benefit from his year in office this time around, but promised that a decision would be made soon.

“The dream comes true”

After the vote for deputy mayor, which saw the opposition Conservatives nominate Cllr Julian Gutteridge for the post and the Green Party nominated Cllr Mike Wright, Cllr Saru spoke of his pride in receiving the civic office. Accepting his role, the retired Royal Engineers captain told the camera he was “deeply honoured” to serve the “vibrant and diverse” borough he now calls home.

“This is a dream come true for me,” said the St Mary’s ward representative.

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