‘Class act’ mayor found out seat was lost while at Buckingham Palace

Sefton’s outgoing mayor said she was ‘at Buckingham Palace with 8,000 people‘ when she found out she had lost her council seat.

Outgoing Sefton Mayor, former Cllr June Burns, who represented Park ward before losing her seat in the new Maghull East ward at the recent local elections, made the remarks during an emotional speech at Bootle town hall tonight as she handed over the mayoral chains to Cllr Jen Corcoran, who was officially sworn into the ceremonial role and will also take up her role as chair of full council meetings.

Burns served as mayor of Sefton five times, including three consecutive years in recent times, making her the first Sefton councillor to do so. She was thanked by council leader Marion Atkinson for her ‘dedication, integrity and strong commitment’ to the role, including during challenging times for the borough, with Atkinson also describing her as a ‘class act’.

Unlike Liverpool council’s annual meeting, which we reported on last week, there were no speeches by councillors from any other parties about the appointment, and a slightly more muted approach to the pomp and ceremony, still nevertheless evident.

During the ceremony, where a large bell was rung in the council chamber before the traditional procession of gold staffs and senior civic figures entered, Cllr Burns gave an emotional speech reflecting on the historic nature of her tenure. She described being the first female mayor during her first stint in the role, later becoming the ‘Covid mayor’, before going on to serve three years in a row.

She said the role had allowed her to ‘see the best of people’, recalling children visiting the town hall who joked that the red ceremonial robes made her look like Father Christmas.

Burns also spoke about remembrance of the Southport tragedy and feeling ‘overwhelmed‘ at the vigil, reflecting on comments she made about children who had just come to dance becoming a ‘symbol of resilience for the people of Southport’.

She also referred to the personal loss of her husband Paul and the support she received from fellow councillors, including when the couple were married at the town hall.

Burns said she had carried out around 800 visits during her five years as mayor and helped raise around £100,000 for good causes. She added that she would now retire, although joked: ‘If anyone in future wants a mayoress, I’m available.’

Cllr Carla Thomas was also named as deputy chair at the meeting, which was adjourned until Thursday, when the leader, deputy, cabinet and committees will be formally appointed. It is understood Atkinson will continue as leader having been appointed in 2023 for a four year term until 2027.

before you go….

We thought you might like this slightly surreal image of the lobby of Bootle town hall. The statue is one of only three of its kind, The Temptation of Eve by Dutch artist Antonio Van der Ven. Made in 1841, it was later donated to Bootle residents and moved to the town hall in 1974, after Bootle museum, where it had been located, closed down.