Cllr Suzanne Wyatt has been elected as Stockport borough's new mayor for the 2024/25 term.

Cllr Wyatt was elected unanimously at a meeting of Stockport Council this afternoon (Tuesday 21 May). She replaces Cllr Graham Greenhalgh, who has held the position since May 2023.

The mayor is the 'first citizen' in the borough. Their role includes chairing full council meetings, visiting events across the borough, and leading civic ceremonies.

Cllr Kerry Waters and Mrs Wendi Nadin will continue as deputy Mayor and deputy Mayor's consort respectively.

The new mayor, Cllr Wyatt, was first elected as a councillor in 1996, and currently serves in the Bramhall North ward.

The new mayor was elected at a Stockport Council meeting at the town hall today (Image - Alasdair Perry)

Cllr Mark Hunter, leader of Stockport Council, introduced the motion proposing Cllr Wyatt as mayor.

"I'm absolutely delighted to have this opportunity to nominate my friend and colleague Cllr Suzanne Wyatt as mayor for this civic year", Cllr Hunter said.

He added: "[Cllr Wyatt is] my longstanding friend and fellow campaigner who can always be relied upon for sound advice and fair judgement."

Cllr Mark Jones seconded the motion. He said: "I am confident that Cllr Wyatt will serve us well in the coming year [...] I have no doubt that she will be a great advocate for Stockport. [...]

"I believe we can look forward to a guiding hand that is both firm and fair. [...]

"If I could choose a single word to describe her, it would be 'helpful'."

Deputy Mayor Kerry Waters - left on the dais - continues in her role. She said:

Cllr Wyatt herself said: "I am grateful to members of all persuasions for supporting my nomination.

"It is an honour and a privilege to represent the members of this acclaimed borough. [...]

"If I can only do half as much as some of the mayors who have gone before me, I should be very happy.

"I'm keen to meet some of the great volunteers that do so much for Stockport - without them, people's lives in Stockport would not be the same."

The previous Mayor and Mayoress of Stockport, Cllr Graham Greenhalgh and Mrs Carol Greenhalgh (Image - Stockport Council)

Cllr Greenhalgh, former Mayor, said of the role: "Having served my year, it is sad. I'll miss the role and take away a great many happy memories.

"I have a new view across the whole of Stockport. [...] I have never failed to be inspired, excited and informed by those I met."

The new mayor's charity is Stockport Food Network, which fights food poverty in the borough.

Cllr Greenhalgh's charity was Sea Cadets - in fundraisers throughout the year, an estimated £10,000 has been raised for the charity.

Cllr Mark Hunter will continue as leader of the council. Speaking at today's meeting, he said: "I can only assure you that I will continue to consider it a privilege to lead this council, and I'm extremely proud of the job we do across all parties in improving Stockport."

~

Free from clickbait, pop-up ads and unwanted surveys, Stockport Nub News is a quality online newspaper for our town.

To get our top stories in your inbox each week, subscribe to our free weekly newsletter HERE.

Please consider following Stockport Nub News on Facebook or Twitter