Ex-Grease star takes up chains as Sefton's new Civic Mayor

YES, Sefton Council has officially welcomed former Dancer and Theatre Performer Cllr Clare Louise Carragher, as the borough's new Civic Mayor. Cllr Carragher, who has starred in national productions of Grease, Chicago and more, was officially appointed as the new Mayor at a special meeting held at Bootle Town Hall on 18 May 2021, where she was joined by friends, family and Councillors from across the chamber. Mayor Carragher replaces outgoing Mayor Cllr June Burns, who has previously held the civic title since 2019. While hand jiving was off the cards due to Covid19 restrictions, Mayor Carragher promised that she would be hopelessly devoted to the role, which she will now undertake for the next 12 months. Following the end of her stage career, Mayor Carragher turned her hand to the legal profession, working in witness services in Bootle before pursuing a full time role as a Councillor for Manor ward, in Sefton, in 2015.

Following her appointment, Mayor Carragher said:- "It is an honour to be able to represent this beautiful borough on both a local and national level and I would like to place on record my thanks to the incredible work of my predecessor, Cllr June Burns, for all her efforts over the past 2 years. I look forward to continuing the wonderful work of Cllr Burns and, while I know it's going to be a tough year given what we have all gone through, I cannot wait to get started. As Mayor of Sefton I hope that I will be able to engage with Sefton residents, discover new ideas, work with our youth and celebrate everything our incredible borough has to offer. Since lockdown I have certainly embraced my creative side and I love to make my own clothes, jewellery and shoes so watch out for some of my more creative accessories to the Mayoral garb!"

For more information about the Mayoral role and what it means, please visit:- Sefton.Gov.UK/Mayor. 
 

Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram Announces Top Team Including 1st Deputy Metro Mayor

STEVE Rotheram, Metro Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, has announced the top team for his new term in office, including the appointment of Cllr Janette Williamson, Leader of Wirral Council, as the 1st Deputy Metro Mayor. The appointments are expected to be endorsed at the Combined Authority's Annual General Meeting on Friday, 4 June 2021.

Mayor Rotheram was resoundingly re-elected with an increased majority of over 132,000 on the 1st round of voting in the recent local elections, winning almost 60% of the vote across the Region and a majority in each of the 6 local authority area.

Speaking about the appointments, Mayor Rotheram said:- "It's an honour to have been re-elected as Metro Mayor; I'm really proud that people across our Region recognised the work we've done over the last four years and put their faith in me in even greater numbers than before. I'm determined to hit the ground running delivering on my manifesto and making our Region the fairest, strongest and greenest in the country. I want to take greater control of our transport system, help to lead the Green Industrial Revolution and give our young people opportunities to get on in life. I want the Liverpool City Region to be a place with no one left behind. To do that, I need a strong team around me. I'm really lucky to have some fantastic local leaders to help shape and deliver on my vision for the Region. Janette has been a trailblazer in our City Region and I'm delighted that she continues to make history as our 1st Deputy Mayor."

Cllr Janette Williamson said:- "It is a huge honour to be appointed the 1st Deputy Metro Mayor of the Liverpool City Region. As the 1st woman to join the Combined Authority, and now 1st person to hold this newly created post working alongside Steve Rotheram, I'm proud to be able to play my part representing women at this Regional level and working for everyone across our fantastic City Region. People here have seen that devolution can really deliver and improve people's lives. I look forward to working with Steve Rotheram, and the rest of the Combined Authority, to deliver even more for the people of the Liverpool City Region over the next 3 years."

The role of Deputy Metro Mayor is a new position that will rotate around the Leaders and Mayor of the Combined Authority's 6 constituent local authorities every 6 months.

The full list of appointments is below:-
 

Portfolio Holders Portfolio Lead Deputy Business Support Asif Hamid TBD Criminal Justice Emily Spurrell TBD Transport and Air Quality Cllr Liam Robinson MT committee rep Inclusive Economy and The 3rd Sector Cllr Janette Williamson Cllr Kate Groucutt Culture, Tourism and The Visitor Economy Cllr Mike Wharton Cllr Shelley Powell Climate Emergency and Renewable Energy Cllr David Baines Cllr Gill Wood Housing and Spatial Framework Cllr Graham Morgan Cllr Trish Hardy Digital Connectivity and Inclusion Cllr Ian Maher Cllr Laura Robertson-Collins Education / Skills / Equality / Diversity Mayor Joanne Anderson Cllr Louise Whitley Policy, Reform and Resources Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram Cllr Carla Thomas Deputy Metro Mayor Cllr Janette Williamson