At the full meeting of Harrogate Borough Council on Wednesday, 7 March 2012, it was announced that Councillor Robert Windass will become Mayor of the Borough of Harrogate on 21 May 2012.
Cllr Robert Windass (Con) Boroughbridge Ward was born in Leeds in 1945, educated at St. Chad’s C of E Primary School where he was a choir boy, he then attended West Park High School.
After a number of office jobs, Robert joined Leeds City Fire Brigade in 1964. He served at most stations until 1974 when it became West Yorkshire Fire Service. After a number of promotions, he was promoted to deputy watch commander and transferred to Leeds Central Station. Robert is a Fire Service Qualified Instructor for driving, turntable ladders, hydraulic platforms, first aid and breathing apparatus.
Retired in 1995 and moved to Boroughbridge with the intention of following his hobby of angling – he is still trying to find time.
Soon after retiring, Robert became bored and took a part time job as delivery driver for an electrical company. He was soon transferred into the store when part time became full time as Store Manager. He finally fully retired in 2011.
With a growing interest in the local community, he was elected onto Boroughbridge Town Council in 1998. He served as Deputy Mayor in 2001/2 and Mayor 2002/3 and 2007/8. He remains a member of the Town Council.
In 2008, he stood for the Boroughbridge Ward in the Harrogate District Elections and was elected onto Harrogate Borough Council. He served as Deputy Mayor 2009/10 and was Cabinet Member for Housing in 2010/11.
As well as angling, Robert’s Hobbies include gardening, classical music and travel. Married to his teenage sweetheart Sylvia (who will become his Mayoress); they have one daughter, two sons and five grandchildren they enjoy spoiling.
Robert Windass will be the first District Mayor from Boroughbridge since Dr Stanley Hazel 21 years ago.
Deputy Mayor
The Mayor of the Borough has the privilege of choosing a fellow councillor to act as his Deputy. Cllr Windass has invited Cllr Martin Leather (Con – Ouseburn Ward) and his wife Helen to act as Deputy Mayor and Deputy Mayoress.
The Borough’s four new civic heads will be sworn in for a twelve month term of office at Harrogate Borough Council’s Annual Meeting on 21 May 2012.
