Lord Mayor interview

Lord Mayor interview

Rhi Storer - Local Democracy Reporter | Thursday 26th May 2022 12:03pm

Birmingham’s new Lord mayor said she was ‘honoured and very fortunate’ to take on the gold chains. As the first citizen of Birmingham, Maureen Cornish will act as the focal point of the community, as well as help promote the city to forge national and international links. 

The Lord mayor will receive an allowance of £32,347.97 to conduct her duties, according to papers discussed at Birmingham city council. She has been described as a ‘passionate, hard-working, public servant with a mischievous side’. 

It comes as the Commonwealth Games are only 63 days away. The Lord mayor will be centre stage welcoming those who have travelled to Birmingham during the opening ceremony.

We sat down with her to learn more:

How does it feel to be the new Lord Mayor of Birmingham? 

I feel very honoured and very fortunate. It’s going to be an amazing year, a year I think we need to make sure that everyone enjoys. 

Everyone has worked extremely hard, and I think also having come out of lockdown and isolation. People are just so looking forward to coming out, meeting people and having joy. It is a great opportunity. 

What are the main priorities for the Lord mayor’s office? For Birmingham for the next municipal year?

As you know it is a non-political role, and I’m going to look at it again this afternoon to see what’s coming forward, but I don’t have a huge amount that I can go into for the entire year. Why, do you know? I think it’s going to be a huge and exciting year. I want to spend time in our communities to be able to get involved. 

Lord Mayor, what do you think are going to be the key challenges and concerns, to improve the standard of living for people in Birmingham, to make this city a great place to live and work? 

It’s a great city, isn’t it? Absolutely wonderful. And I think all the members of various communities are here which is wonderful, so many different nationalities. Our communities have worked extremely hard during lockdown. And everyone’s been encouraging each other to be supportive to us with what was a very difficult time. And I think that will continue. 

What advice would you be giving the new intake of councillors this year? 1

Since this is a non-political role, I will not not be concentrating on the political side of elected members, or giving them any real advice on a political thing. If they want to talk to me on perhaps what’s going on in their communities and how they can come along and be involved? They’re welcome to do so.

What advice would you give to someone that’s never visited Birmingham before? Where would you tell them to go visit?

There are, I think, at least 15 areas that people can go, I mean, one of the things that if it’s someone that was from abroad is Cadbury’s chocolate, chocolate. Go there, and have a look at the canals everything we have on the canals. Symphony Hall. Theatres. The art gallery. They are wonderful areas that you can go see they have the time, all across the city, and also outside the city. 

Summarise your summarise the Lord Mayorship in three words.

Exciting, a privilege, and honour.

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