Cllr Jean Flaherty is the 138th Mayor and First Citizen of Warrington. She was sworn in during a Mayor Making ceremony at the annual meeting of the council on Monday 23 May.
Jean was born in the Fairfield and Howley ward of Warrington and, while Jean has moved around the town over the years, she returned to live in Fairfield and Howley in 1991. She and her husband, Terry Flaherty, who will be her Mayoral Consort, have three children, five grandchildren and a great granddaughter.
After many years of volunteering in her local community, Jean decided to stand for the role of councillor in the Fairfield and Howley ward, currently working alongside fellow ward councillors, Tony Higgins and Sagheer Zaman. Jean thoroughly enjoys the community aspect of her role and listening to and supporting the needs of local residents.
Since being elected to the council in May 2016, Jean has served as Chair of the council’s ‘Building stronger communities’ committee and has been heavily involved in the development of the Central 6 Masterplan, as well as continuing to volunteer in her own community and develop a network of community groups across the town.
In recent years, her work has focused on community development, communication, and the environment. Jean helped to drive forward the council’s investment in revitalising the successful Pavilion Tea Rooms in St. Elphin’s Park, funding two refurbishments over five years, which have resulted in a successful community offering in the heart of the Fairfield and Howley ward. Jean is also involved with the Litter Network, having supported the CLEAN initiatives in 2017 and 2022.
The new Mayor of Warrington said: “It is a privilege to take on the role of Mayor in the town where I was born and have lived most of my life.
“I am eager to support local communities as we continue to recover from the coronavirus pandemic and can once again focus more on the projects and initiatives that make a real difference to our town and its people. I want to encourage people in Warrington to love where they live and ensure that everyone has the opportunity to thrive and lead healthy and happy lives.
“I would like to say a big thank you to our outgoing Mayor, Cllr Maureen Creaghan, for the fantastic job she has done as First Citizen of Warrington through what has been a challenging time for us all.”
Cllr Jean Flaherty will be supported by Cllr Graham Friend as Deputy Mayor of Warrington.
They are currently working with several individuals who are struggling with their mental health but look forward to their weekly contact and attending Sandra’s craft classes. Sandra has 30 years of experience in arts and crafts and supports individuals and groups who use the arts to aid their mental health and wellness. John is passionate about supporting people across Warrington and works thoroughly to reach out to those in need. The team at craft in mind realise how vital it is to take care of your mind and your body, and also support a mental health agency with a limited budget with craft supplies for the individuals they work with.
The Mayor has chosen four charities to support through the Mayor’s charity appeal throughout the year:
· St Joseph’s Family Centre – provides a range of services to support people and families in overcoming stress and family breakdown
· Refuge (Warrington Independent Domestic Violence and Abuse Service) – supports women and men experiencing domestic abuse
· Footsteps – provides support to anyone affected by someone else’s drug or alcohol use
· PAPYRUS – a charity supporting the prevention of young suicide