NEW councillor Chris Penk – from Wellington’s House of Cake – is hoping he has the right ingredients to make a difference in the town.

Cllr Penk was co-opted onto Wellington Town Council on Monday, September 2, after putting his name forward as a possible successor to Kieran Canham who had resigned earlier this summer.

The council had originally received notification from four applicants interested in being co-opted as a councillor, but one pulled out last week and the other two did the same on the day of the actual meeting.

So it was an easy decision for councillors to make on Monday evening when it came to co-opting a new councillor and they welcomed Cllr Penk aboard.

It was second time lucky for Cllr Penk as he had put himself forward for co-option in July as the council looked to find a replacement for Zoe Barr, but on that occasion councillors gave the nod to Cllr Sue Fox.

But Cllr Penk was delighted to be voted onto the council this time – although it was only a one-horse race.

“I have been in Wellington for just over a year and I have really fallen in love with the place,” he told his new council colleagues.

“I want to do a little bit more rather than just sit on the sidelines and I want to get more involved in the local community.

“I’m looking forward to the challenge.”

Cllr Penk has previously had careers in the Army and education and is now becoming well-known for his work at the House of Cake in Wellington’s High Street.

He is hoping that his “front of house” role there and talking with customers will stand him in good stead to find out what local issues are on people’s minds.

Former Mayor, Cllr Marcus Barr, said: “Chris put his name forward for co-option in July and he was unfortunate then in not getting it, so I think he will be a very good addition to the council.”

And Mayor, Cllr Janet Lloyd, said: “It is always good to have someone from Wellington’s business community on the council.”