Mayoral
Councillor Louise Harrison elected Mayor of Walsall for 2025-26
Published on
A new Mayor for the borough has been appointed following the annual Mayor Making ceremony in the Council Chamber in Walsall on Monday 19 May 2025.
The ceremony is one of the highlights in Walsall’s civic calendar, with the new Mayor receiving the robes and chains of office and naming the charities that will benefit from fundraising activities during their time in office.
Councillor Louise Harrison was elected as Mayor of Walsall for 2025-26 and Councillor Chris Bott was elected as Deputy Mayor for 2025-26. The new Mayor takes over from Councillor Anthony Harris who has held the position since last year. During her year in office, the Mayor will chair council meetings, represent the council at civic events and attend community engagements.
Councillor Louise Harrison was first elected to Walsall Council in June 2004 and has been a councillor for over 20 years. She represents the Bloxwich West ward. She has held many positions at the council including Cabinet Member for Leisure, Culture and Lifelong Learning, Cabinet Member for Clean and Green, Scrutiny Chair for Regeneration, and Scrutiny Chair for Economy and Environment.
Deputy Mayor, Councillor Chris Bott, was first elected to Walsall Council in May 2007. She represents Darlaston South.
“ I feel honoured and privileged to have been selected to serve as Mayor of Walsall over the next 12 months, and I’m looking forward to meeting residents and local organisations associated with our borough.
I’d like to thank Councillor Anthony Harris for all his hard work during his term of office, which culminated earlier this month in the wonderful VE Day 80 tributes and celebrations.
My chosen charities for the year, which will benefit from the Mayor’s Appeal 2025-26, are the Stroke Association, The Local Hub (Bloxwich West) and local animal rescues. “
Following the Mayor Making ceremony, the council meeting was adjourned until 6pm on Wednesday 21 May 2025, when the council meets to make appointments to the council’s boards and committees and external organisations.
This Annual Meeting will take place in the Council Chamber and is available to view at:
http://www.walsallcouncilwebcasts.com/
The agenda is available online at:
Notes to editors
Councillor Louise Harrison grew up in the Pleck area of Walsall and moved to Pelsall as a small child attending Shelfield Infants’ School before moving to Great Wyrley in the early 1980s and attending Landywood Middle School and Great Wyrley High School. She studied science and health studies at Cannock College and in her early working career she worked at Cannock Hospital and a local adult training centre.
In 1996, Louise trained to be a croupier at the Royal Casino, Walsall, and continued working in the casino industry until 2016 when she had a change of career becoming an office manager for a mechanical and electrical repairs and maintenance company.
In 1999, Louise and her family moved from Short Heath to Bloxwich, and she was encouraged to stand for election for the Bloxwich West ward in 2004 by former Mayor of Walsall, Councillor Melvin Pitt.
Louise has a real passion for the community she lives in and has worked on many projects in Bloxwich. One of the most memorable was working with residents to launch an official Bloxwich Flag in 2017.
Louise has been an active member of the Mossley Big Local Partnership since 2012 and supported the purchase of the former Mossley Youth Club as a community asset, and community hub. The Local Hub (Bloxwich West Ltd) is the legacy of the partnership. It is currently being refurbished and will open later in 2025.
Louise has chosen both her partner Brad and her son Liam to stand alongside her as consorts.
The Stroke Association is a charity which provides life-long support for all stroke survivors and their families. It provides tailored support to tens of thousands of stroke survivors each year, funds vital scientific research, and campaigns to bring the best care and support for everyone affected by stroke.
- The Local Hub (Bloxwich West Ltd) operates local community asset formerly known as Mossley Youth Club. This offers various activities, services, and opportunities for the local community to empower individuals to participate more fully in society, gain economic independence, and build resilience.
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