THE new Mayor of Worcester has spoken of the ‘great honour’ of becoming the city’s First Citizen and pledged to serve all residents during his term in office.
Coun Paul Denham, a Labour councillor who represents Rainbow Hill, donned the Mayor’s robes and taken up residence in the parlour at the Guildhall after he was voted in at Worcester City Council’s annual meeting last Tuesday (May 17).
Conservative councillor for Battenhall, Coun Steve Mackay, was also voted in as the city’s Deputy Mayor.
Speaking after his election to the top role, Coun Denham said: “My aim to go forward with in this mayoral year is to promote the city of Worcester to the best of my ability.
“This is a great city to be a councillor in, let alone to be a mayor in. It needs every bit of publicity, support and encouragement particularly for organisations out there that help to do a variety of tasks in support of this city.
“It is a great honour to be First Citizen of this great city and I hope to make a difference.
“My theme for my mayoral year is ‘no community left behind’ and I intend to focus on helping those in most need.
“It is reassuring to have the support of members of all three political parties and I will do my best to serve residents across all parts of Worcester.”
Born in Huddersfield, Coun Denham moved to the Faithful City back in 1984 to become a maths teacher at Elgar High School. He has served on the board of Worcester Community Housing, was chair of Black Pear Credit Union, and is an elder of the United Reformed Church, a magistrate since 2002 and a member of the Rotary Club of Worcester.
The Mayor’s wife, Lynn Denham who is also a councillor on the City Council, will become Mayoress of the city.
