Last Tuesday was the ‘Annual’ Meeting of Bury Council. This is mostly a ceremonial meeting, but with two very important pieces of business:

Mayor of Bury 2013-2014 Cllr Sharon Briggs – Photo Bury Council.

Appointing the Mayor of Bury for the next year. Interestingly two bits of history were made as this was the first time in history that both the Deputy Mayor AND the Mayor are both women (amazing that it took to 2013 for this to happen, 95 years since women were given the right to vote….). It is also the first occasion that the Mayor is someone who has been the ‘Mayor’s Consort’ in the past. Our new Mayor Cllr Sharon Briggs was the Mayoress when here late husband Cllr Barry Briggs was Mayor in 2004-2005.

appointing members of committees and the Cabinet for the next year. As there had been no elections in Bury not much had changed. Interstingly the Labour Group have created a six new posts of ‘Deputy Cabinet Member’ for themselves all of whom will receive an extra allowance. Apparently this will be cost neutral………

Annual Council was also the setting for the first ever ‘Made in Bury’ awards outstanding service from local people. I had the pleasure of announcing the winner of the Young Person/Young People’s award for an Outstanding Contribution which this year was awarded to the whole team from the Streetwise 2000 project. Streetwise 2000 is a service for young people aged between sixteen and twenty five, with a diverse range of health and social problems. These problems can range from severe mental illness, right through to homelessness, teenage pregnacy, isolation and anxiety. More information here.