The new mayor elect for the coming year is set to be Neil Rix who secured the role with one casting vote.

Current deputy mayor, Cllr Rix, was voted as mayor for 2016-17 and Cllr Chris Precious, the 2015-16 mayor, was voted deputy mayor.

Cllr Rix received eight votes altogether and Cllr Gordon Cowan received seven.

He said: “I’m very pleased. I’m looking forward to taking up the role as mayor and speaker.

“I want to bring Dover on a bit and try and make everyone work together and make Dover a better place - that’s the idea of it all.”

Cllr Rix, who owns a scaffolding business as his day job, has been a town councillor for nine years.

He said: “I run three full time businesses so I’ve put things in place to make sure I fulfill my duties.”

He said he will also work closely with Cllr Precious as they have for the last year.

Cllr Precious said as deputy mayor he is looking forward to seeing developments come to fruition in the town and commemorations for the Somme.

Reflecting on his time as mayor, he said: “I have certainly enjoyed it. It’s been difficult for Dover which is unfortunate and not necessary.

“People coming in affects the town and choosing Dover as a target when it’s the wrong target - that has been problematic.”

Cllr Precious said he is still working on how to deal with protests coming to the town. One of his final duties as mayor of Dover involves hosting Zeebrugge commemorations with Belgian guests amidst a St George’s Day protest which could see violent clashes, much like what happened on January 30 and April 2.

“They feel its patriotic to disrupt a patriotic weekend and put a huge strain on the police.”

He added: “It’s been nice to celebrate a few businesses continuing and celebrate new businesses, seeing the events that local people are putting on is always enjoyable too. Even seeing how well places like the soup kitchen work, it’s an eye opener and good to see so many taking part and helping each other.”

Cllr Precious commended the many voluntary and church groups in the town that work for the community.

He said: “One real highlight I think was Stephen Yarrow who organised a requiem for the Paris shooting’s. Not only was it a perfect response but so well done in such a short space of time.”

He said seeing how people came together for the service at St Mary’s Church, and also how residents came together during the violent protests on January 30, is a “great testament to the town.”

The final vote for mayor and deputy mayor will take place on Thursday, May 12, at mayor making at the town hall.