A COUNCILLOR is set to begin his second term as Mayor of Warrington.

Born and raised in the borough, Cllr Steve Wright will be the 139th mayor and first citizen of Warrington.

Cllr Wright was elected to the council in May 2006 to represent Latchford East and in 2016 to represent Bewsey and Whitecross, and has sat on a number of committees during his time as a councillor.

This is his second term as mayor, having been mayor previously in 2012-13. As part of a transitional period, Cllr Jean Flaherty, who is currently the mayor, will remain in position until July 1 – which is when Cllr Wright will take over the mayoral role.

Cllr Wright was born in Whitecross and attended school in Warrington, his first school being Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School. He started his working life as an apprentice plasterer before going on to be a process worker and community worker.

Cllr Wright and his wife Julie were married at Our Lady of the Assumption Church in Latchford where they live and have five children – Michelle, Dawn, Stephen, Paul and Thomas. They have fourteen grandchildren and one great grandchild too.

Cllr Wright’s ‘passion is community activism and helping people’, while he is keen on working with local people ‘towards shared goals’ and is especially proud of helping to drive forward plans for Bewsey and Dallam Community Hub and helping to form the Friends of Whitecross community group.

During his mayoral year, Cllr Wright will continue supporting many volunteering groups, including groups where he is an active member, as well as the corporate parenting forum.

He is a dedicated volunteer and his roles have included being a volunteer tutor at Warrington Collegiate and he is a parishioner of Blessed John Henry Newman Parish.

The charities that he will be supporting as mayor are St Rocco’s Hospice, Warrington Disability Partnership, Veterans Hub, and BLESMA, the military charity for limbless veterans

The new deputy mayor is Cllr Carol Benson, who currently serves as borough councillor in Culcheth, Glazebury and Croft.

Cllr Wright said: “It is a privilege to once again take on the role of mayor in a town and community that I am so passionate about.

“Alongside representing Warrington, I’m delighted to be supporting four fantastic charities throughout the year as well, who make a real impact and provide a fantastic level of support to local people.

“I would also like to say a big thank you to our outgoing Mayor, Cllr Jean Flaherty, for the fantastic job she has done as First Citizen of Warrington.”

During his mayoral year, Cllr Wright will continue to participate in the corporate parenting forum, as well as supporting many volunteering groups where he is an active member.