Town Mayor

The Mayor of Knutsford (Town Mayor) is elected annually from amongst the councillors at the Annual Town Council meeting in May (also called the Mayor Making). The Mayor serves as both Chairman of the Town Council and the ceremonial figurehead for Knutsford

The title Mayor of Knutsford was first established in the late 13th century when the town was granted a charter however it became extinct and little is known of the early  mayors; the title was revived in 1974 when the Town Council was formed.

THE ROLE OF THE TOWN MAYOR

As first citizen of Knutsford, the Town Mayor fulfils an ambassadorial and ceremonial role representing the town. The mayor is invited to attend around 150 events every year, ranging from opening fetes and new shops, attending community events and representing the town at events such as the North West in Bloom awards.

The Town Mayor also chairs meetings of the Full Council and by virtue of office may attend and vote at all council committee meetings.

Each year the Town Mayor also raises funds for chosen charities by hosting a number of community fundraising events and an annual Civic Ball.

Councillor Mike Houghton
Town Mayor 2022/23

COUNCILLOR MIKE HOUGHTON

Cllr Mike Houghton was elected Town Mayor in May 2022. Cllr Houghton is supported by his wife Kate, the Mayoress; Cllr Jan Nicholson, Deputy Town Mayor and Rev Nigel Atkinson, Mayor’s Chaplain.

Serving on the Town Council can, at times, feel like a thankless task, not least because of the things we cannot control rather than the work we do undertake. Some may not know but being a town councillor is an unpaid role. However, what is so rewarding about serving on the town council is working with my fellow councillors who never use this as an excuse to give less than 100% in serving their community. I have enjoyed developing friendships with many of them around the council table, it’s a genuine privilege to work with them and I thank them for electing me as Town Mayor.

I have lived in Knutsford with my wife Kate for over 25 years – the longest either of us have lived anywhere. Both of our children were born and baptised in Knutsford and attended Bexton Primary School and the Knutsford Academy.

I am supporting two initiatives during my mayoral year both linked by a common thread of positive metal health promotion. This is a subject very close to my heart.

The first is Knutsford Scouts; the movement undertakes wonderful work developing life skills for children and young adults and promoting an active lifestyle – all of which helps enormously with mental health wellbeing. We have a thriving Scout community in Knutsford and some amazing volunteer leaders but they need help. They receive no outside support, and the 4 groups (1^st, 2^nd, and 5^th Knutsford and 1^st Mobberley) are individual charities in their own right with all of their income derived from modest subscriptions and fundraising.

The second area I wish to support is something called the UK Men’s Sheds Association. This is a nationwide organisation which supports the establishment of ‘sheds’. Men’s Sheds are a place to pursue practical interests at leisure, to practice skills and enjoy making and mending. Whilst many men like to spend time in their own garden sheds Men’s Sheds are about social connections and friendship building, and sharing skills and knowledge.

My ambition is to raise funds over the next 12 months in order to help establish a shed in Knutsford in 2023. It would become an independent charity so it not only needs members but people to help run it and/or to act as trustees. So if this is of interest to anyone please make contact with the Town Clerk.