Cllr Karen Watson Elected As Swale's Deputy Mayor

Sittingbourne and Sheppey Labour Party have announced that Cllr Karen Watson (Lab Roman Ward) was elected to the post of Deputy Mayor at the last full meeting of Swale Borough Council on Wednesday 3^rd April.

Karen was elected as Councillor for Roman Ward last May, having previously had twelve years’ experience as a Councillor on the London Borough of Bromley, There she specialised in social services, Sure Start, and Home Start.

Since moving to Sittingbourne two of her three children have attended Sittingbourne Schools and her daughter is now studying English at Royal Holloway. Karen herself has started an Open University degree.

Karen is an active ward Councillor and also supports a range of community activities such as Pathfinder Dementia group and the Historical Research group and trained as a nurse and was then recruited to the Home Office. She worked for 25 years in the Charitable retail sector, with the Red Cross, Sue Ryder, Cancer research, Hospice care and the RSPCA.

The Leader of the Council, Tim Gibson, told SFM News: "Karen is full of energy and commitment. She is fair and considerate but will never be afraid to speak up when things are wrong. Her considerable experience in local government will be an asset to her in her role as Deputy Mayor.”