Sandwell has a new mayoral team, which will be raising money for charity over the coming year.

Councillor Mushtaq Hussain is the new Mayor of Sandwell following a ceremony in the council chamber yesterday. His main consort will be his son, Amar Mushtaq and family friend, Mr Ijaz Ahmed, will also act as consort. Councillor Richard Jones takes on the role of Deputy Mayor with partner Councillor Richard McVittie as his consort.

At the ceremony, votes of thanks were passed to the outgoing mayor and deputy, former councillor, Dr Ann Jaron and Councillor Suzanne Hartwell, who had both served two years in their respective roles as there was no ceremony last year due to Covid-19.

The new mayoral team will be raising money for St John Ambulance, whose range of services include delivering first aid, from Community First Responders to emergency response support. During the Covid-19 pandemic their skilled and highly trained volunteers have been working to support the NHS to care for people and deliver vaccines.

The charity is also the first aid, health and safety and mental health first aid trainer for hundreds of thousands of companies, local authorities, and members of the public. Councillor Hussain, who has represented Oldbury ward since 2018, said:

“I would like to thank my fellow councillors for bestowing on me the honour of becoming the Mayor of Sandwell. In the year ahead I will be proud to represent and support the people of Sandwell.

“I will use my office to work with my chosen charity, and the people and businesses of Sandwell, to ensure we have thriving, optimistic and resilient communities across the borough. These charities will play an important role in supporting the health and aspirations of all our citizens.”

Councillor Richard Jones, who has represented Old Warley ward since May 2019, added: “It is a privilege to be made Deputy Mayor of Sandwell and to serve our borough in this role.

“Richard and I are the first openly gay couple as Deputy Mayor and Consort and through my work I will seek to strengthen the mutual respect within our communities so that everyone feels safe and protected, and no one faces hate or discrimination because of who or what they are.

“We will work together to recognise our residents’ skills and talents, enabling them to play their part in a strong, inclusive Sandwell.”

The Mayor is the first citizen of Sandwell. While the role is non-political, the Mayor presides over meetings of the council. The Mayoralty attends events across Sandwell and also represents the borough at functions outside Sandwell involving local residents and organisations.