SANDWELL has a new mayor after councillor Bill Gavan was elected – the second LGBT+ mayor for the Black Country borough.

The mayoral ceremony took place in the council chamber on Tuesday evening.

Labour councillor Gavan takes over from Richard Jones, who was deselected by Labour earlier this year and later joined the Liberal Democrats.

Mr Jones stood for reelection this month to retain his council seat in Old Warley but only secured 431 votes. Labour’s Chipilliro Kalebe-Nyamongo gained the seat with 1132 votes.

Councillor Gavan, who represents Langley, is the second openly gay mayor in succession in Sandwell and his consort is husband Adam Kennedy.

Labour councillor Elaine Giles was elected as deputy mayoress. Her consort is her daughter Elizabeth Giles. Her husband, John Giles, is a Labour councillor representing Greets Green and Lyng ward.

In a speech Cllr Gavan said: “I am privileged and humbled to be elected by my councillor colleagues as mayor. I was first elected in 2014 and never envisaged being in this position. I’m privileged and humbled to be elected by my council colleagues.

“It has been a long journey to get here. 47 years ago, I was able to kick the addictions of alcohol and drugs with the continuous help of AA. In 1997 I was founder chair of Birmingham Pride and in 2018 I was cabinet member responsible for the Sandwell Aquatics Centre, built on time, on budget and host to the Commonwealth Games.

“I would like to thank the outgoing mayoral team for all their hard work over the last year. I would also like to thank my local MP John Spellar for his continued support over the years, my AA friends worldwide, and the class of Birmingham Pride 1997 to whom I wish all the best for the biggest and best Pride ever in 2023.

“I also want to wish every success to the leader, councillor Kerrie Carmichael, her cabinet, and all councillors new and old across the chamber whatever their political allegiance.”

Councillors paid tribute to the outgoing mayor Richard Jones. Councillor Danny Millard said Mr Jones was a “breath of fresh air”.

“His commitment, his enthusiasm and his love shone throughout his time as mayor. Richard has spoken eloquently and intelligently to groups of large and small.

“He’s sung, danced, celebrated with the people of Sandwell and he’s represented the borough as well as all of us expected him to.”

Labour councillor Peter Hughes nominated councillor Giles as deputy mayoress noting her 19 years of public service and the only councillor to serve in three different wards – Oldbury, Newton, and Bristnall.

He said: “Community service runs through her veins. Socialism and the Labour party run through her veins. That might not be amenable to everybody in the room but that’s what she is. She represents the Labour party in every way.

“Her daughter lost her seat, unfortunately, but she’s going through our 12 months serving as the deputy mayor and I look forward to seeing that.”

In her speech, deputy mayoress Giles said: “Public service is very important to me, and it is an honour to be able to continue to serve the unity of Sandwell in the role of deputy mayor.”

The mayor is the first citizen of Sandwell and while the role is non-political, they preside over meetings of the council and attend events across the borough, also representing it at external functions.