Ex-mayor criticises Cheshire East's lack of support for role

Cllr Sarah Pochin’s speech as outgoing mayor raised a few eyebrows at Tatton Park on Wednesday.

Speaking after the inauguration of new mayor David Marren, she told the guests at Tatton Park: “One of the reasons I accepted the role was to see for myself whether or not I thought the role of mayor of Cheshire East could add value to the community and to the council.”

The councillor, who raised more than £25,000 for one of her chosen charities during her mayoral year, said she believed the role did benefit the community but she found the lack of support from councillors and officers at the council frustrating.

“In my year I discovered that there is sadly little support from members (councillors) for the mayor,” she said.

“My fundraising at Dorfold Hall was attended by three members, my Polish event in Crewe was attended by one member and even the Ukrainian vigil was attended by only three members.

“Now, I know we're all busy, luckily it didn't make any difference to the success of the events -but that's not really the point.”

She continued: “I also discovered in my year as mayor that there is very little thought given to, or appetite for using, the mayor by our officers.”

She listed  events the Cheshire East and town mayors had not been invited to but could have used to promote their towns and the borough.

“As we get back to whatever post-Covid normal is, I want to encourage members and officers to invite the mayor to promote things in the borough, to promote things for the council,” she said.

“Use it or lose it as they say and that is what's going to happen, so use the mayor.”

Cllr Pochin said she had enjoyed her time as mayor during 2021/22 and the role can benefit community groups and organisations by raising their profile.

She said the mayor can raise money for their chosen charities and can help to bring the community together – pointing out 450 people had attended the event she organised for the Polish community in Crewe.