New Mayor for Wakefield district announced

Cllr Darren Byford is the new Mayor of Wakefield.

His appointment took place at today's (23 May) Annual General Meeting and Mayor Making ceremony. 
  
The Mayor is a ceremonial title conferred by the Royal Charter granted to Wakefield. As the First Citizen of the district, they chair meetings of full council during their period of office.
  
Joining Cllr Byford is his consort and husband Peter Davis. Cllr Maureen Tennant- King is the new Deputy Mayor and her consort is her husband Terry King.
  
Cllr Byford was elected as a Councillor for the Horbury and South Ossett ward in 2016. He has been a Deputy Cabinet Member and Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Growth. 

He said: “It is an absolute privilege and honour to take up the role of Mayor. I will use my year to continue to advocate for our district and to highlight the many great things that are happening here. I look forward to meeting the many fabulous people, organisations and charities that make our district so special.”

Cllr Byford has been involved in many groups and committees and his involvement in the community is far reaching.  

He is a trustee of The Senior Citizens’ Support Group and Horbury Churches Together, as well as being active within the local British Legion, Horbury Village Partnership, and a founding member of the Friends of Horbury’s Parks.

Supporting the new Mayor will be fellow Councillor, Maureen Tennant-King, who will become the Mayor in 2025/26.

She has represented the Featherstone ward since 2016.

She has been a member of the Planning and Highways Committee for eight years and is currently its Deputy Chair. She is also a member of the Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Committee, and she also represents the Council on Wakefield Sight Aid Board. 

She helped to set up Sharing is Caring Featherstone Uniform Bank, and the Hungry Holidays project. She supports the Food Bank and friend's groups in the area and in the wider community she assists The Clothing Bank and Airedale Children’s and Baby Bank.

You can watch the Mayor Making ceremony again on the Council’s YouTube channel. 

Mayor’s Charity Appeal 2024 - 2025

The Mayor is supporting Memory Action Group during his term of office and may also share some of the money raised amongst a number of other local charities he visits during his mayoral year.

Memory Action Group (MAG) is a peer support group for people living with dementia and their carers.