TAMESIDE’S new mayor is ready to hit the ground running and muck in after being given the honour.
And Councillor Mike Glover hopes to build on the work down by who will be his predecessor, Cllr Janet Cooper.
The Ashton Hurst representative will take on the chain after the council’s annual meeting on Tuesday, May 24.
After being deputy mayor for the past two years, he has seen what the position can mean and the effect it can have on people in the borough.
Now he hopes to continue putting the mayor at the heart of much of the area’s good work.
Cllr Glover said: “I’m really looking forward to my time in office and hope I can follow Cllr Cooper’s fine example.
“I know it will be very busy year but I’m sure it will be very rewarding too.
“I’m especially looking forward to meeting volunteers of all ages and to working with groups from all parts of Tameside’s wide and diverse community as well as schools.”
The mayoral title caps a seven-year political career for Cllr Glover, who was first elected in 2015.
Within Tameside Council he is chair of the Place and External Relations Scrutiny Panel and a member of the North Strategic Neighbourhood Forum, the Overview Panel and Speakers Panel (Planning).
He also serves on the Greater Manchester Housing, Planning and Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee.
Outside local government, Cllr Glover has been a member of Tameside Rotary Club for 27 years, often standing in for Santa at the Christmas sleigh run around Ashton and helping to organise the Tameside Beer Festival.
He also has a long association with Ashton Parish Church. His hobbies include swimming, badminton, tai chi and riding his Triumph Bonneville motorbike.
Mossley councillor Taf Sharif will be Deputy Mayor and she cannot wait to get started.
She told The Correspondent: “This is a fantastic opportunity to meet and get involved with the wider, diverse Tameside community.
“I am particularly looking forward to meeting with our young people and encouraging them to achieve their full potential. I am sure it will be a humbling role.”