The “dedicated” mayor makes history and jokes about the secret of her success

A “tireless” and “dedicated” councilor has been re-elected as Sefton’s mayor for a history-making fourth term.

Cllr June Burns was confirmed as Mayor of Sefton during a council meeting in Bootle Town Hall this evening (Thursday 16 May). It was the first meeting since the local elections earlier this month and a chance for elected members to set priorities for a busy year ahead.

Also at the meeting, Labor councilor for Molyneux Ward Marion Atkinson was reconfirmed as council leader, while deputy leaders Ian Moncur and Pauline Lappin were appointed.

READ MORE: The air ambulance lands in the park after a boy was hit by a car

READ MORE: £10* unlimited day travel on Northern trains only with ECHO

Nominating Councilor June Burns as Mayor, Cllr Atkinson said: “June has been an outstanding Mayor and we have all received fantastic feedback from our partners and community about the tireless work she does.

“Her dedication is clear for all of us to see and we wish her well in the year ahead.”

Sefton has elected its mayor since April 1975, when Sefton Council became a district council. The Mayor’s duties are varied and include chairing council meetings, promoting the neighborhood and generating support for the Sefton Mayor’s Charitable Fund. This year Mayor Burns will support Sefton Women’s & Children’s Aid (SWACA), Plaza Cinema and St Joseph’s Hospice.

The Mayor also acts as the first citizen of Sefton Borough and takes precedence within the Borough over all others. The only exceptions to this are members of the Royal Family and the Lord Lieutenant of Merseyside.

However, the Mayor’s role is apolitical and they have no decision-making power.

Sefton Council has been run by the Labor Party since 2012, but also has elected representatives from all the main political parties, including the Greens, who recently won their first seat after newly elected Neil Doolin defeated Paul Cummins in the Church ward. That mix of affiliations can often mean a hectic atmosphere in the council chamber, but Mayor Burns said she has her ways of keeping order. She joked, “I use the hammer well.”

Cllr Burns added: “It’s important to be fair and that’s exactly what I try to be. Must.

“I’m here to represent everyone and make sure they get the respect they deserve and the opportunity to make their points.

“I have lived in Sefton all my life and I feel a great sense of personal pride in being the mayor of this wonderful place and representing the people who live here.

“I look forward to continuing my work and especially as we celebrate 50 years of Sefton Council this year.”

Don’t miss the biggest and breaking stories by subscribing to the Echo Daily newsletter here