A Herefordshire town councillor is putting herself forward as its “not-mayor” after claiming she is being excluded from the official mayor role.

Coun Milly Boylan, an independent on Ross-on-Wye town council, posted a video online announcing her availability for civic events in the town.

She said she was “fed up” of not getting a crack at the official position.

“Obviously the ruling party [the town’s Liberal Democrats, who hold a majority] want their guys to be mayors,” she said. “So I can’t ever be mayor because I am not part of a party.”

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Nonetheless she has already been invited to officially reopen the town centre’s Crown & Sceptre pub tomorrow (May 3), now under new management after losing its licence late last year.

“I have a cloak which I will wear,” she said. “As not-mayor, I will open anything you want me to open, for many years to come.”

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The town’s actual mayor by contrast is elected only for a year, with the next such vote due at its annual meeting in 11 days’ time, on May 13.

Current mayor Coun Louis Stark said he was “not convinced by Coun Boylan’s approach”.

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“It’s a democratic process, so it’s up to town councillors who they pick,” he said. “That’s no different from anywhere else.”

And while traditionally the role is passed to the deputy mayor, currently Coun Bev Pope also of the LibDems, “it hasn’t been decided yet”, Coun Stark pointed out.

As for conducting official duties around the town, “anyone can preside over any opening they want”, he added.