THE next mayor of Warrington has been confirmed.

At the annual council meeting on Monday, it was agreed that Labour’s Cllr Steve Wright will continue his term of office of Mayor up to June 30.

Cllr Wright was also the mayor in 2012-13.

Cllr Wright said it is a ‘wonderful privilege’ to serve that role and that ‘you meet such great people’.

He also thanked Carol Benson, Conservative, who lost her seat in the recent election, for being his deputy during the past year.

“You need a good deputy, so thanks for that,” he added.

Cllr Wendy Johnson, Liberal Democrat, will be the next mayor, from July 1 until the end of the 2024-25 municipal year.

Cllr Johnson was also the mayor in 2019-20.

Cllr Ian Marks, Liberal Democrat, said: “A mayor has two distinct roles – chairing the council and what you might call meeting and greeting.

“It’s fair to say that some mayors are good at one of these but not necessarily good at the other one.

“Wendy, I have to say, was first class at both of these roles in her previous role as mayor, so I have no hesitation recommending her to you, to be mayor for the current year.

“Her previous time was complicated by Covid, so I sincerely hope she has a simpler role this time.”

Furthermore, Cllr Mo Hussain, Labour, will be the deputy mayor for the 2024-2025 municipal year.

Cllr Hussain says it is a ‘great honour’ to become the deputy mayor.

“This is a responsibility I do not take lightly and I will do everything I can to carry out the role to the very best of my ability,” he said.

The mayor attends many events and engagements, both inside the town and across the country, acting as a representative for Warrington.

A deputy mayor is appointed to assist the mayor throughout the year and usually succeeds the mayor the following year.