Miguel ‘proud’ to step into Deputy Mayor role

Newly-elected Deputy Mayor Jaysen Miguel has set his sights on making sure Bunbury City Council continues to work as a team as he follows in his grandfather’s footsteps.

The council voted in Cr Miguel in a close count on Tuesday night.

The 26-year-old and Cr James Hayward were the only two to nominate for the position with the vote ending 7-6 in Cr Miguel’s favour.

Cr Miguel said he was overwhelmed by the result, but was looking forward to doing the job required of him.

“Obviously I’m pretty happy and overwhelmed,” Cr Miguel said.

“I didn’t really have any expectations on the night, it’s only just sunk in today.

“I’m very glad to be given the opportunity and very proud.”

He said one of his main aspirations during his two-year term as Deputy Mayor was to lead the “team” and work well with the entire council.

“Council should work as a good team – we’re not all going to agree on things obviously, but it’s important we work as a team for the best decision,” he said.

“At the end of the day all councillors want what’s best for Bunbury, so I’ll just be upfront and work with everybody to make that happen.”

He said he never saw Cr Hayward as a competitor and he was looking forward to continuing to work with him.

“If he was voted in, I’d still have the same respect for him as I do today – he would have made a good Deputy Mayor too,” he said.

Cr Miguel will follow in the footsteps of his grandfather, Graham Bricknell, who was also a Deputy Mayor for the city.

“Sometimes these things unconsciously happen, I didn’t have much to do with him because he died when I was quite young, but I’m very proud,” Cr Miguel said.

Mayor Gary Brennan said he was looking forward to working closely with Cr Miguel.

“Cr Miguel has served the community passionately since he was first elected to council four years ago,” Mr Brennan said.

“It is a significant commitment to take on the role of Deputy Mayor and I look forward to Cr Miguel bringing his energetic approach and modern outlook to the role.”