Axminster Town Council Elects a New Mayor
Published: 19 May 2026
Axminster Town Council elects its youngest ever Mayor
Axminster Town Council is proud to announce that Councillor Jack Price was elected as Chair of the Council, and Mayor of Axminster, at the Annual Meeting of the Council held on the 18th of May 2026. Cllr. Price will become Axminster’s youngest Mayor and brings skills and talents with him to propel the Council forward to achieve its aims and objectives.
Each year, Axminster Town Council holds an Annual Meeting in May, at which the first item of business is always the election of the Chair. Councillor Jill Farrow has held this position since January 2021 following the tragic passing of Cllr. Anni Young in December 2020.
Cllr. Farrow has served the Council with unwavering dedication and commitment and has been a true servant to the community. She has given her time freely to numerous local charities and organisations and has been an incredible ambassador for the Council. We would like to thank Councillor Farrow for her esteemed service on behalf of the town. Having hung up her robes and chain of office, Councillor Farrow will be remaining as a member of the Council to continue her service to Axminster, but just in slightly more comfortable and less formal attire.
Councillor Price will be taking on the leadership of the Council with significant challenges on the horizon. As the Council begins to plan for the inevitable upheaval of Local Government Reorganisation, he will need to guide the Council through unprecedented times.
Jack has been a member of the Council since 2024, and as a local businessman and father of three children, he is well-embedded in the local community and understands the needs of the town’s residents. Over that period, Jack has taken an active role and has engaged fully with all aspects of being a councillor. He was elected as the Deputy Mayor in May 2025 and has also served as Chair of the Employment Committee. Jack’s background in theatre, drama and the performing arts has been invaluable to the Council after it took on the day-to-day operational responsibility for the Guildhall. His enthusiasm and energy will be vital in the months and years to come.
After being sworn in as Chair, Councillor Price gave an emotive speech where he thanked Councillor Farrow for her service and guidance and outlined the key challenges facing local government.
‘…. The year ahead promises to be both exciting and challenging. We have projects to deliver, opportunities to embrace, and undoubtedly some uncertainty to navigate, particularly around Local Government Reorganisation and its potential impact on councils like ours. But one thing is certain: I will give this role everything I have….’.
Councillor Price went on to say that he is keen for all residents to play an active role in local democracy and would welcome seeing many more members of the public at council meetings, and added that a vacancy for the 15th council seat remains unfilled, urging residents to put themselves forward to serve their community.
Councillor Price will be supported in his new civic role by Councillor Mark Dowdeswell, who
was also elected by the Council at the Annual Meeting to serve as Deputy Mayor, and Vice-Chair of the Council. Councillor Dowdeswell has been a member of the Council since 2023 and will stand in for Councillor Price on those rare occasions when the Mayor is unavailable. Similarly
to Councillor Price, Cllr. Dowdeswell also runs a business in town and has close ties with the Chamber of Commerce and many other community groups and voluntary organisations.
If you would like to find out more about all of our serving councillors, or to find the dates of upcoming council meetings or to keep up to date with our new Mayors’ civic duties, please visit the "Your Council" page of this website.