New lord mayor elected

New lord mayor elected

Rhi Storer - Local Democracy Reporter | Thursday 26th May 2022 9:59am

Birmingham councillors have elected their new Lord mayor and deputy mayor for the municipal year.

Maureen Cornish, the Conservative councillor for Sutton Four Oaks, will take up the gold chains and preside over the ceremonial role. 

As the first citizen of Birmingham, she will act as the focal point of the community, as well as help promote the city to forge national and international links. 

Shafique Shah, the Labour councillor for Heartlands, will preside as deputy mayor. 

The Lord mayor will receive an allowance of £32,347.97 to conduct her duties, according to papers discussed at Birmingham city council. An allowance of £9,771.32 was agreed for the deputy Lord mayor.

The Lord mayor’s role will be keenly watched. She will welcome over a million visitors to the Commonwealth Games, held across Birmingham in under 65 days.  

Speaking at her inauguration yesterday, the Lord mayor said: “The next few months will provide a unique opportunity for many. We will be highlighting our fantastic communities. 

“Communities of all faiths and nationalities working together make up the people of Birmingham, affectionately known to many as ‘Brummies’. 

“Having served on the planning committee for the past 15 years. It has been inspiring to see how the city has transformed. We are attracting investment from all over the world. Professional organisations are relocating to Birmingham, recognising the extraordinary diverse and young talent, rich in culture and strong in heritage. 

“I will do all I can to further develop these investment opportunities for the benefit of Birmingham.” 

The Lord mayor summarised her speech: “Ladies and gentlemen, life is so short. Why should speeches be so long? This one isn’t.”

The Lord mayor will replace the outgoing ​​Muhammad Afzal, who has served in the council for 40 years in his seat of Aston. His seat was usurped in a surprising victory to the Liberal Democrats. 

His appointment was marked by coronavirus, where only 30 people were allowed in the council chamber. He was the first Muslim, Pakistani, councillor elected to Birmingham city council in 1982.  

The Lord mayor is always a serving councillor, elected by Birmingham city councillors, and stands for one year in office. She also chairs the monthly full council meetings. It is a non-political role. She will attend events across Birmingham, and represent the borough at functions outside Birmingham. 

Ian Ward, leader of Birmingham city council, said: “Every year when we welcome our new Lord mayor into this illustrious role, I’m always struck by how people from ordinary humble backgrounds to become a first citizen of our great city. 

“As the elected representatives of almost 1.2 million people across Birmingham, ours is a serious role. And at times you’d expect in this chamber we have our differences. 

“But we should never lose sight of our humour and our humanity. Every councillor I’ve ever worked with from across all the political parties has wanted to improve the lives of Birmingham citizens. And though we don’t always agree on the best way to do that, we share a commitment to the city and its people. 

“Colleagues across this chamber who have served with Maureen over the last 15 years will agree that the Lord mayor elect is a passionate, hardworking, public servant. 

“But she’s also got a mischievous side. She gets on with people, she likes to have fun. That lust for life and sense of humour will, I’m sure, hold Maureen in good stead over her 12 months as Birmingham’s first citizen.” 

Robert Alden, the leader of the opposition for Birmingham Conservatives, told the council chambers the Lord mayor is fond of making sure ‘standards are maintained’. 

He said: “I’m reminded of the occasion when fresh faced new councillor Mackey arrived for the first council meeting when he was first elected. Although he was new to the council, he was at the time Maureen’s association chairman.

“Arriving in jeans, the Lord mayor-elect dressed him down for being dressed down, and announced he needed to go home immediately. 

“It was only me stepping in pointing out she would be indeed rewarding him, that stopped him from being sent home, and receiving a slap on the wrist instead.”

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