Cllr Marco Longhi Walsall’s 640th Mayor

Marco Longhi was unanimously elected by his fellow councillors as Walsall’s Mayor for 2017/18 at the Annual Meeting of the full council on Monday evening.

In true Marco style he referred to his new role not as being Walsall’s first citizen but as Walsall’s first servant. This is the mark of the man who has the respect of all he meets. “I think those who will meet with Marco over the coming year during his term of office as Mayor are in for a real treat. His inclusive style cuts across party lines.” said Cllr Ian Shires after the inauguration.

The Annual Meeting on Monday was all about installing the new Mayor Cllr Marco Longhi and thanking the outgoing Mayor Cllr Cath Phillips for all the sterling work she has done as an ambassador for our town along with all the charitable work she has championed during her term of office. Once these formalities are over the council adjourns till Wednesday (today) when it completes the business of setting up the administration and places on committees and outside bodies.

As there were no local elections this year then things should stay pretty much the same, but Walsall being Walsall you can’t be sure till it actually happens.

The Annual council meeting reconvenes at 6.00 pm this evening with the new Mayor Cllr Longhi in the hot seat.

In case you are getting a little confused about the position of Mayor, Walsall’s Mayor is very much a ceremonial position acting in an ambassadorial role rather than having the political power of the newly elected West Midlands Metro Mayor.