Councillor Cherry Povall takes the chains of office as Wirral Mayor for 2024-25

16 May 2024

Photo of the Mayoress and Mayor of Wirral

L-R: Mayoress Sheila Clarke MBE and Mayor Cherry Povall JP

Councillor Cherry Povall JP was formally elected as Mayor of Wirral for the new civic year at the council’s Annual General Meeting (Part 1) at Birkenhead Town Hall yesterday evening (Wednesday 15 May). She takes over from Councillor Jerry Williams who served as Mayor since 17 May 2023.

Councillor Povall was first elected to Wirral Council in 2008 as a member for the Clatterbridge ward, which she continues to represent.

Serving on the Council’s Pensions and Childrens Committees for 16 years, Councillor Povall has also been a member of Wirral’s Foster Panel since 2010.

Born near Bakewell in Derbyshire, The Mayor moved to Liverpool at the age of 18 to study home economics at a teacher training college, before teaching at numerous schools in Liverpool and Cheshire.

After giving up teaching she bought a newsagent shop with her late husband, Ernie, which was the first of many businesses together. She took an active role in the Newsagents Federation, becoming its first female President of the Mersey, Dee, North Wales and the Isle of Man District.

The Mayor has been a Magistrate for 33 years, which inspired her to go to university to obtain a Law Degree and become a qualified Solicitor, practicing in Cheshire for a number of years.

A founder Trustee of IncuBabies, which raises funds for the neonatal unit at Arrowe Park Hospital, the Mayor is very proud that the charity has gone on to receive the Queens Award for Voluntary Service.

A passionate Soroptimist – an international organisation that helps women and girls achieve their potential, realise aspirations, and have an equal voice in communities - for 25 years, Councillor Povall has served as its Regional President for Cheshire, Wirral and North Wales.

Councillor Povall has a daughter, son and five grandchildren as well as a new great granddaughter.

Close friend Sheila Clarke MBE will be the Mayoress for this municipal year.

Councillor Povall announced that the Mayor’s Special Charity Fund will support and raise funds for IncuBabies and the UK North Blind Sailing Association. The Mayors Charity will also make contributions to other Wirral-based charities and voluntary groups at the end of the Mayoral year.

Bidston and St James Councillor, Brian Kenny, was also elected as Wirral’s new Deputy Mayor at the meeting held in Birkenhead town hall's Assembly Room.