Agenda item

Mayor 2025/26

The Mayor reported that, for the Municipal Year 2025/26, she would be continuing in the role as Mayor of Sefton and thanked her fellow Members and the Leader of the Council for giving her this opportunity again. The Mayor congratulated Councillor Jen Corcoran on her new role as Deputy Chair of the Council for 2025/26, and she looked forward to working with her over the next 12 months. Following the Annual Council Meeting on Thursday, 15 May 2025, as the Mayor was continuing in the role of Mayor, she would be hosting a drinks and nibbles reception after the meeting to celebrate being 5-time Mayor of Sefton and the first to carry out the role three times consecutively. Further details of the reception would be provided from the Mayor’s Office regarding this.

Charity Burns Night

The Mayor thanked her fellow Members who attended the Charity Burns Night on Saturday, 25 January 2025. A total of £560.00 was raised on the night which was a great success and the Mayor hoped everyone enjoyed it.

Gala Charity Ball

The Mayor reported that tickets were now on sale for her Gala Charity Ball which would take place on Saturday, 26 April 2025 at Formby Hall Golf Resort and Spa. The ticket price was £50.00 per person, which included a three-course meal with welcome drink, live entertainment from ‘Searchin’ and a Raffle, Tombola and Auction. The Mayor indicated that it would be very much appreciated if there could be a strong Member attendance this year to support the Charity Fund.

Kings Award for Voluntary Service

The Mayor reported that 16 Organisations across Merseyside would receive the Kings Award for Voluntary Service, four of them in Sefton, namely the 4^th Crosby & District Scouts, Ainsdale Civic Society, Birkdale Community Hub and The Sunshine Group. The Mayor reported that the award was the equivalent to an MBE for these organisations, and that they were all great ambassadors for Sefton. So far, the Mayor had visited the 4^th Crosby Scouts on 7 February 2025, Birkdale Community Hub on 12 February 2025, and the Sunshine Group on 19 February 2025. A visit to the Ainsdale Civic Society would take place on 19 March 2025. The Mayor also reported that a visit to the Samaritans would take place on Saturday, 1 March 2025.

Former Councillor Paul McVey

The Mayor reported with great sadness on the loss of former Councillor Paul McVey who passed away on 6 February 2025. Mr McVey was elected as a Councillor for Victoria Ward in May 1986 and served on the Council until May 2004. He was Mayor of Sefton in 1998/99. A Civic Funeral would take place on Friday 28 February 2025, at St Edmund of Canterbury RC Church in Waterloo at 1.15 p.m. The Mayor requested that if any Members planned to attend, would they please arrive at the church for 1.00 p.m.

On behalf of the Council, the Mayor acknowledged Paul McVey’s dedicated service to Sefton and extended her sincere condolences to his family at this difficult time.

Councillor Pugh paid tribute to Paul McVey.

The Council observed a one-minute silence as a mark of respect in reflecting on the sad passing of Paul McVey.