New Mayor set to take over
WARRINGTON'S new Mayor will take over next Monday.
Liberal Democrat councillor Graham Welborn will be installed at Mayor Making in the Town Hall.
The Latchford councillor will replace colleague Clr Celia Jordan.
And fellow Lib Dem Brian Axcell (Appleton) will take over as deputy Mayor for the year.
Clr Axcell was serving as executive member for transport but will now have to step down from that position.
He will be the third successive Lib Dem Mayor.
Meanwhile the Labour group in Warrington has confirmed that Terry O'Neill will continue as leader for the next year.
The Burtonwood councillor was reelected to his council seat last Thursday. He was reelected leader in an uncontested group meeting on Thursday.
The annual council meeting where the new Mayor will be sworn in takes place on Monday, May 19 at 2.30pm in the Town Hall.
12:26pm Monday 12th May 2008
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CommentPosted by: Russ, Warrington on 1:11pm Mon 12 May 08
Three Lib Dem mayors in a row? Isn't it part of the council constitution that the parties agree to rotate the office of mayor? Or has that gone out of the window under this Lib Dem/Tory coalition that "runs" the council?
Three Lib Dem mayors in a row? Isn't it part of the council constitution that the parties agree to rotate the office of mayor? Or has that gone out of the window under this Lib Dem/Tory coalition that "runs" the council?
Posted by: wynnez, warrington on 1:38pm Mon 12 May 08
I do not know wether it is part of the council constitution, but it appears that this Lib Dem/Tory coalition can do whatever it wants to do, mostly to the detriment of the town that I love
I do not know wether it is part of the council constitution, but it appears that this Lib Dem/Tory coalition can do whatever it wants to do, mostly to the detriment of the town that I love
Posted by: maca100000, sankey on 1:55pm Mon 12 May 08
What does the mayor actually do? It seems to me to be a joke and a waste of time[italic]italic[/italic] [italic]italic[/italic] [bold]bold[/bold]
What does the mayor actually do? It seems to me to be a joke and a waste of time
Posted by: Guardian Angel, Warrington on 1:15am Tue 13 May 08
Yep I agree a waste of time, ermmm they go to functions and fetes and smile and wear a robe and chains... and ermmmm have a big black car and chauffer and have big posh meals up at golden gates .... other than that i havent a clue
Yep I agree a waste of time, ermmm they go to functions and fetes and smile and wear a robe and chains... and ermmmm have a big black car and chauffer and have big posh meals up at golden gates .... other than that i havent a clue
Posted by: harry peterson, warrington on 4:17pm Tue 13 May 08
I'm surprised the press haven't picked up on this issue becuase 2 years ago when the Lib Dems took over the runni[quote]quote[/quote] ng of the Council, their then leader Ian Marks made a big song and dance about how the mayorality was going to be offered to each political party on an equitable basis.
Surprisingly, we've now had 3 Lib Dum mayors on the run.... even the Tories who power share with the Lib Dems haven't had the mayorality yet.
Wonder what other spin the Lib Dems have been feeding us via the papers?
I'm surprised the press haven't picked up on this issue becuase 2 years ago when the Lib Dems took over the runni
quote
ng of the Council, their then leader Ian Marks made a big song and dance about how the mayorality was going to be offered to each political party on an equitable basis.
Surprisingly, we've now had 3 Lib Dum mayors on the run.... even the Tories who power share with the Lib Dems haven't had the mayorality yet.
Wonder what other spin the Lib Dems have been feeding us via the papers?
Posted by: RyanBate, Grappenhall, Warrington on 4:08am Wed 14 May 08
To answer Russ' question, the Council's constitution does not give any guidance on how the Mayoralty should be distributed across political parties. Ian Marks did indeed state the Mayoralty would be offered to all parties however a) the Lib Dems are the largest group, b) the Labour party have held the Mayor's office for many years so there is an element of redressing balance and c) in 2005/06 when the late Councillor Ted Lafferty was Mayor, he was chosen on seniority when the Labour Mayor-select lost her seat at the local elections that year.
Contrary to what Mr Peterson says, the Mayoralty returned to Labour in 2006/07 with Councillor Dirir holding office, with the Lib Dem-led coalition honouring her selection the previous year despite taking control of the Council. Councillor Jordan served as her Deputy and subsequently Mayor, as is the traditional pattern, and now her Deputy Graham Welborn will take office. In 2008/09, unless there is a change in party make-up at the Town Hall, Councillor Axcell's deputy could well be from another party.
To answer, in some small way, Maca's question: the Mayor is predominantly a symbolic figure-head for the Council and the Town. One of their key roles is chairing Council meetings, obviously an important task. Furthermore the Mayor plays a huge role in raising money for a charity or charities of their choice, for example in his Mayoralty the late Ted Lafferty rose over £30,000 for charities.
And in response to Wynnez, the Mayoralty and decisions over the holder of office remain relatively apolitical decisions and any problems you may have with the current coalition's control of the Mayoralty could equally be levelled at their Labour predecessors who monopolised the Mayor's office for years.
To answer Russ' question, the Council's constitution does not give any guidance on how the Mayoralty should be distributed across political parties. Ian Marks did indeed state the Mayoralty would be offered to all parties however a) the Lib Dems are the largest group, b) the Labour party have held the Mayor's office for many years so there is an element of redressing balance and c) in 2005/06 when the late Councillor Ted Lafferty was Mayor, he was chosen on seniority when the Labour Mayor-select lost her seat at the local elections that year.
Contrary to what Mr Peterson says, the Mayoralty returned to Labour in 2006/07 with Councillor Dirir holding office, with the Lib Dem-led coalition honouring her selection the previous year despite taking control of the Council. Councillor Jordan served as her Deputy and subsequently Mayor, as is the traditional pattern, and now her Deputy Graham Welborn will take office. In 2008/09, unless there is a change in party make-up at the Town Hall, Councillor Axcell's deputy could well be from another party.
To answer, in some small way, Maca's question: the Mayor is predominantly a symbolic figure-head for the Council and the Town. One of their key roles is chairing Council meetings, obviously an important task. Furthermore the Mayor plays a huge role in raising money for a charity or charities of their choice, for example in his Mayoralty the late Ted Lafferty rose over £30,000 for charities.
And in response to Wynnez, the Mayoralty and decisions over the holder of office remain relatively apolitical decisions and any problems you may have with the current coalition's control of the Mayoralty could equally be levelled at their Labour predecessors who monopolised the Mayor's office for years.
Posted by: RyanBate, Grappenhall, Warrington on 4:11am Wed 14 May 08
My apologies. Councillor Lafferty was actually Mayor in 2004/2005. This was for the reasons outlined above (the Mayor-designate lost her seat), however this could not have been in 2005 because a) there were no local elections that year and b) Councillor Hans Mundry was Mayor between Councillors Lafferty and Dirir. The rest of the information is, I believe, correct though.
My apologies. Councillor Lafferty was actually Mayor in 2004/2005. This was for the reasons outlined above (the Mayor-designate lost her seat), however this could not have been in 2005 because a) there were no local elections that year and b) Councillor Hans Mundry was Mayor between Councillors Lafferty and Dirir. The rest of the information is, I believe, correct though.
Posted by: RyanBate, Grappenhall, Warrington on 4:20am Wed 14 May 08
To avoid any confusion from the way the article is written, it is Councillor Axcell who would be the third consecutive Lib Dem Mayor if he assumes office in 2009; also being the fourth in six years (both Councillors Mundry and Dirir are Labour members).
To avoid any confusion from the way the article is written, it is Councillor Axcell who would be the third consecutive Lib Dem Mayor if he assumes office in 2009; also being the fourth in six years (both Councillors Mundry and Dirir are Labour members).
Posted by: Triumph, Warrington on 11:07am Thu 15 May 08
Yawn!
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