Liverpool Council has appointed its first leader in more than a decade as the new look local authority met for the first time since landmark local elections.
Earlier this month, 85 new members were elected in the city’s first all out ballots following the 2021 Caller Report. More than 300 candidates contested 64 newly drawn wards, with Labour extending its grip on power for another four years, with 61 seats.
This evening, Cllr Liam Robinson was formally confirmed as the new leader of the city council and the first since 2010. Liverpool had been governed by an elected Mayor and cabinet system until the position was scrapped earlier this year following a contentious public consultation process.
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The last person to hold the post – Joanne Anderson – stepped down from the role following the election on May 4. Cllr Robinson, who represents the Kensington and Fairfield ward, said he was “honoured and humbled” to be elected leader of the council and said while he wasn’t born and raised in Liverpool he was a “proud adopted Scouser.”
The new leader said he “couldn’t be luckier” to come into office after the two weeks of Eurovision events across the city. Cllr Robinson also confirmed who would make up his executive team for the next 12 months, with a number of members retaining their places in cabinet having been in post under Mayor Anderson.
Harry Doyle, Sarah Doyle, Frazer Lake and Daniel Barrington will remain while Cllrs Nick Small, Laura Robertson-Collins and Liz Parsons return to cabinet positions. Cllr Ruth Bennett has been named deputy leader to Cllr Robinson while Cllr Lila Bennett also joins the 10-strong team.
The opposition Liberal Democrats have also confirmed their top team under new leader Carl Cashman. Deputy leaders Rob McAllister-Bell and Liz Makinson will be joined by Andrew Makinson, Laurence Sidorczuk and Mirna Juarez in spokesperson roles.
The newly appointed Lib Dem leader Cllr Cashman said his team had the “necessary skills and experience to hold this council to account.” He added: “It’s a diverse team with a perfect blend of youth and experience and we look forward to setting out our vision for the city over the next four years.”
The return of a former Lord Mayor was also confirmed in front of friends, family and guests at Liverpool Town Hall. Cllr Mary Rasmussen returns as First Citizen of the city having previously served in 2021/22.
Her replacement and former deputy, Roy Gladden, thanked the local authority for the opportunity to serve as Lord Mayor in the “most friendly, diverse and welcoming city on the planet.” He added: “That as the honest assessment of the hundreds of thousands of people we welcomed during Eurovision.”
The outgoing Cllr Gladden said Liverpool had shown to the world how “despite the aggression, Ukraine did not stand alone.” On returning to the role for a second time, Cllr Rasmussen – who was revealed to have served her time as a welder – said the opportunity was “mind blowing” and said her late daughter and brothers “would have been delighted.”
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