Councillor Margaret Sutton (Great Barr, Tamebridge and Yew Tree ward) is the new Mayor of the Borough following a ceremony in the Council Chamber at Sandwell Council House on Tuesday (26 May).
The Mayoress is Mrs Zoe Gallagher.
The Deputy Mayor was named as Councillor Nathan Williams (Cradley Heath and Old Hill).
At the ceremony, votes of thanks were passed to the outgoing Mayor and Deputy Mayor Steve Melia and Councillor Elaine Giles.
Councillor Sutton confirmed that the charities she will be raising money for are the Midlands Air Ambulance and Sandwell Victim Support.
Midlands Air Ambulance
Midlands Air Ambulance Charity provides emergency pre-hospital critical care across the West Midlands region. The charity’s helicopters and critical care cars deliver expert treatment when time is of the essence.
Sandwell Victim Support
Victim support is a voluntary organisation that supports victims of crime across the country. They can be contacted on 0300 303 1977.
On becoming Mayor of Sandwell, Councillor Sutton said:
“Since being elected on May 7th I have been reflecting on my own life. I am blessed with having a loving family. I’m a wife, mother, nan, great- nan, step-mom and aunt. I have been a daughter, a sister and a widow. With all these different roles what I have learnt is that Family is the most important thing of all. Without the support and encouragement of my family I would not be standing here this evening as I set out on yet another role. I realise how much we are shaped by our parents and our upbringing.”
“It is a huge honour, and I am looking forward to meeting as many people and visiting as many organisations and groups which work so hard in our communities. I look forward to representing all our residents and celebrating all that makes Sandwell the place it is today.”
The Mayor is the first citizen of the Borough. While the role is non-political, the Mayor presides over meetings of the council. The Mayor attends events across Sandwell and also represents the borough at functions outside Sandwell involving local residents and organisations.