The new Lord Mayor of Coventry is not the first in the family to fill this role

Coventry’s new mayor has been announced. Labor councilor Mal Mutton was appointed chairman of the council at a meeting yesterday, June 25.

She was due to take up the role after local elections in May, having served as deputy mayor for the past year. But a postponed contest in Radford, represented by Cllr Mutton’s ward, meant the ceremony was scrapped.

She defended her seat in the by-election held there last Thursday, June 20. Cllr Mutton got 58% of the vote, 754 votes more than Tory runner-up Stephen Smith, although the turnout was only 14%.

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After receiving the ceremonial gold chain at the council house yesterday, Cllr Mutton said: “It’s been a long and rocky road, hasn’t it, but we got there in the end.” Other councilors paid tribute to Cllr Mutton at the event.

Fellow party Cllr Patricia Hetherton praised his “unwavering dedication and commitment to residents in the ward and beyond”. She said Cllr Mutton was in a “unique” position, having been lady mayor when her husband, former leader Cllr John Mutton, took over the role in the late 1990s.

“Those close to Mal know the heartache he has endured over the past two years. We know how much he appreciated the warmth and kindness from everyone today after losing his beloved husband John.”

The meeting also saw Labor councilor for Holbrooks of 15 years, Cllr Rachel Lancaster, appointed deputy mayor. The outgoing Lord Mayor, Cllr Jaswant Singh Birdi, was pleased with the councillors.

The Tory councilor said: “As the first mayor – as marked by (Opposition Leader) Gary Ridley – to wear a turban alongside the chain of offices, the past year has meant so much to me and my family.”

Many told the camera they would say more at a celebratory event to be held on July 11.

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