Meet Nuneaton's new Mayor

Councillor Cape is Nuneaton and Bedworth’s new Mayor following Wednesday night’s Mayor Making Ceremony at Nuneaton Town Hall. 

He received the chains of office from Cllr Bhim Saru who had held the post for the last year, with his wife Shamila the Mayoress.

Cllr Cape was proposed by Council Leader Cllr George Finch and seconded by Cllr Richard Brill.

Cllr Cape’s wife Julie will be the Borough’s Mayoress.

Cllr Cape said: 

“It is an absolute honour and privilege to be elected as the Mayor of Nuneaton and Bedworth.

 “Serving this wonderful borough is a deeply humbling responsibility and I am incredibly excited about what the next twelve months will bring.

“My focus will be on bringing people together, and celebrating civic pride, and I look forward to meeting as many residents, businesses, and community groups as possible.

“My vision for the future centres on transparency, fairness, and ensuring every resident’s voice is heard.

“I am committed to accessible healthcare, having cared for my mum at home for four years, quality of education, veteran welfare and responsible green initiatives reflect my belief in a brighter future for all.’’

Cllr Cape, who was born in Methil, Fife, is an Army veteran with 30 years’ service starting as a boy soldier private and ended up as a Major, serving in the Intelligence Corps before being commissioned into the Education and Training Services.

Both of Cllr Cape’s grandfathers were miners and his father Tom was a foreman confectioner by trade, later becoming an industrial grinder.

Cllr Cape said:

“He and my mum Margaret struggled raising our family of four, but instilled traditional values and a work ethic in us all. 

“I’d like to think they and my younger brother David were looking down at the mayor making ceremony, they with pride and him with a good dose of dry Scottish sarcasm.’’

Since leaving the Army, Cllr Cape has worked to improve public services and support Armed Forces Veteran causes.

He holds a master’s degree from Kings College London, a teaching qualification and has served as chair and trustee on voluntary organisations, focusing on Armed Forces Veteran and allotment matters.

Cllr Daljit Boughan will be Deputy Mayor for the next 12 months with Harpreet Kaur Cheema the Deputy Mayoress.