Preston’s new Mayor has taken up the chains of office and is only the 14th woman to do so.
Councillor Sue Whittam is the 697th Madam Mayor of Preston.
The former Conservative group leader took up the chains from Labour’s councillor Phil Crowe who finished his year in office last week.
Mayor Whittam said: “It is a wonderful honour to be the Mayor of Preston and I am looking forward to a busy year, raising lots of money and awareness for my three fantastic charities.”
Cllr Whittam’s three chosen charities are Parkinson’s UK, Mary O’Gara Foundation based in Fulwood and the Sandbag Café which supports military veterans.
The Mayor role for Preston City Council is a civic and ceremonial role – attending events, raising awareness of causes in the city and more rather than being a political role like it has become for the Metro Mayors of Manchester and Liverpool.
Labour’s councillor Nweeda Khan will act as Deputy Mayor during the next 12 months.
Here’s Cllr Whittam’s full speech as she became Mayor on Wednesday 14 May during the annual Mayor Making council meeting.
“At our practice the other day the Chief Executive said keep your speech short, so I will try and do as I am told, for once…
“I want to thank Councillor Stephen Thompson for his kind words, well I hope they were kind words as I heard none of the speeches, and Councillor Matthew Brown and Councillor John Potter for nominating me and supporting me to become the 697th Mayor of Preston, and only the 18th woman to have ever held this role. I have big shoes to fill as Councillor Phil Crowe has been a wonderful Mayor, and I thank you for showing me the ropes.
“I first became a Councillor in 2014, I had been a member of the Conservative Party for a number of years and I had got involved in local campaigns and events. I believed in family values and hard work, and my mum had also stood for the Conservatives. So, it was sort of in the blood really. Although, she did used to make my Step father swear on the bible before he went out to vote that he would vote Conservative, not sure how legal that was, but I am sure he wouldn’t have voted for any other party.
“For all of us here today who are elected Councillors we know how hard work it can be to be a Councillor. I have always wanted to help people and I genuinely care about our community, but as we know it sometimes can be a thankless task.
“Without the support of my family, I would not be stood here before you today, and have the honour of being Mayor of Preston. Our children, Carly, Katherine, Tom and Fay have had to put up with both of us talking politics none stop since they were young children. My lovely husband Steve, my greatest supporter of all, became a Councillor because it had got to the stage that he hardly ever saw me, so if you can’t beat them join them is the old adage, and so he did.
“Every person who I have invited today are very special to me, whether that is my family or my oldest and newest dearest friends. It is such a shame that both our mums are not here to see this today, as they would have been dining out on free lunches in my name.
“Last Sunday it was our Tom and Laura’s wedding, by a very strange coincidence Laura’s nana Mrs Mary Brade was the Mayoress for John Collins in 2016, so it’s a very small world.
“Steve will of course be my Consort this year, and our daughter Fay will be my Mayoress.
“My chosen charities are really important to me. I have chosen Parkinsons in support of two of our dear friends, it’s an illness that develops slowly over months and years and currently there is no cure; the fantastic Mary O Gara Foundation, a non-profit organisation dedicated to increasing awareness around mental health and suicide prevention for young people. I will never forget that day Sharon when I met you at the health event near the bus station, you and Paul are such an inspiration; and also, the Sandbag Café, a wonderful café and drop in centre for veterans held every Tuesday between 10.00 am and 12.30 at St Georges Church in the City Centre. Preston has always been a Garrison Town now City and we should make sure that all those who served in whatever conflict are supported. I will do everything I can to support you all.
“I will be arranging a number of events over the year to support my charities and I hope to raise much needed funds and also raise awareness of the fabulous work all three of them do.
“Nearly at the end now Chief Executive……I wanted to finish by saying that my Step Father Joe was a lovely man, and when he died in May 2009 it was a huge blow to our family. He used to say our Susan you should be Mayor of Preston, it was him who inspired me to go into politics – who would have ever thought that one day this would become true.
“So, if I can inspire anyone this year, especially younger people to go into politics, help their community and take a genuine interest and more importantly care about what is happening in this world, and in particular this city, then I will be truly happy. If I can be Mayor of Preston, then anyone can. Just follow your dreams.”
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