Joshua Yarham sets out aims as mayor of Market Deeping

Since Joshua Yarham took over as mayor of Market Deeping in May his journey has been ‘unconventional’.

Coun Yarham joined the council in July 2019 and quickly rose to secure the position of mayor in less than a year.

He said: “It has been strange and unconventional but it’s also been an opportunity to implement new options to change decisions of the council for the best.

“A 28-year-old at the helm of the town council is very different from how it used to be run.

“The council as a whole are coming to terms with different, positive changes.”

Since leaving the Deepings School, Coun Yarham studied law at the University of East Anglia and is undergoing training to become a barrister.

He also works as the Conservative association secretary to the constituency of Sir John Hayes MP for South Holland and the Deepings.

Coun Yarham is the youngest mayor that Market Deeping Town Council has ever had.

“I think there may have been a concern from a small number of councillors who see age and experience as the holy grail rather than knowledge and flexibility - which I bring to the table,” he said. “Things have been different for me and there have been questions but so far I believe the right decision has been made.”

He added: “Having lived in Market Deeping for 26 years it’s the view of being able to give back and celebrate the community that gave so much to me growing up.”

Since taking over as mayor in May, he has set out his aims for both the council and the town.

His main aim is to make it a ‘digital council’ so that they are able to go paperless.

Not only will this help reduce the carbon footprint but he hopes the initiative will promote that town councillors as being more accessible for residents to communicate with via e-mail.

Coun Yarham said: “The one positive for the council of this lockdown is we are forced to have a scheme where we are almost paperless.

“The contact is by e-mail and the meetings have been done by Zoom.”

He added: “It does work, it is convenient and it does help the environment by us not travelling down to town in our cars.

“The amount of paper which has been reduced - I think it’s a great move forward.

“Without the lockdown these positive changes may have taken a little longer.”

Alongside making the council paperless, Coun Yarham hoping to work with Lincolnshire County Council to facilitate cycle routes in the town as well as walking trails.

In the future he also hopes to be a councillor at district or county level.