A COUNCILLOR who has represented Handforth for 38 years has been sworn in as mayor of Cheshire East for 2019-20.

Cllr Barry Burkhill, Handforth Ratepayers member on Cheshire East Council, was named as mayor last Wednesday after mayor-elect Liz Durham, Conservative, lost her seat in the May 2 election.

After receiving the mayoral chain at Tatton Park’s Tenants Hall along with his wife Sue Bidwell, who will be mayoress for the next 12 months, Cllr Burkhill announced his intention to support food banks during his year in the role.

He said: “Although it has been totally unexpected to be asked to become mayor for the 2019-20 municipal year, it is nevertheless an honour and a privilege to represent the people of Cheshire East.

“These are difficult times and my wife, Sue, and I will be using the year ahead to highlight the prodigious voluntary work that is daily carried out throughout the borough.

“In particular, we look forward to visiting all centres which work with food banks and homeless people and support those of our number who face challenging times.

“I thank you all for your support and my wife and I hope to be very worthy successors to Lesley and David Smetham, the outgoing mayor and her consort.”

Cllr Burkhill represented Handforth on Macclesfield Borough Council from 1979 until the authority was abolished in 2009, and he represented the old borough as mayor in 2007.

He was elected onto CEC in 2011 and was re-elected for a third term in this month’s election.

Cllr Burkhill, who is also a member of Handforth Parish Council, has a keen interest in medieval history, music and his university subject of geology.

His deputy, elected by members, is Cllr Steven Edgar, Conservative member for Haslington.

By tradition, both the mayor and deputy mayor are non-political roles, carrying out civic duties on behalf of the council and residents of the borough.

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The mayor chairs meetings of CEC and can use his or her casting vote, if required to do so.

The mayor is seen as the first citizen of the borough and can expect to attend many events during the civic year – ranging from fun community and school events, to more solemn occasions such as Remembrance Day.