A FAMILY man 'rooted to the heart of his community' has become Warrington's 134th mayor.
Cllr Les Morgan (LAB – Latchford West) was sworn into office at the Town Hall on Monday evening after getting unanimous support from councillors.
The 75-year-old takes over the ceremonial chains from Cllr Faisal Rashid (LAB – Chapelford and Old Hall), who was the borough's first Asian mayor.
Cllr Morgan said it was an 'honour and privilege' to be granted the civic honour in his 'wonderful town'.
The 'first citizen' of Warrington will be assisted by wife Gwyn during his term.
Former Bewsey Secondary Modern School pupil Cllr Morgan said: "Warrington is a place with great prospects, such as our new market, the town's many other new developments, new businesses and investors that we are attracting almost daily.
"I'm sure that all these things will put us in excellent stead in our bid to become City of Culture.
"It will be my aim to have as much involvement as possible with the more vulnerable members of our communities – the old, the young and the often less able-bodied people in our communities.
"In short, I would like to be known as 'the mayor that cares'.
"As the mayor, I have to be 'apolitical' and as such I will hope to be chairing good and fair debates at full council and always uphold the council constitution.
"I congratulate Cllr Rashid on completing his term as mayor – he made history by becoming our first Asian mayor, well done Faisal."
He is backing four charities during his mayoral year – the MS Society, Street Pastors, Papyrus and Warrington Foodbank.
Council leader Cllr Terry O'Neill was among the Town Hall members who congratulated Cllr Morgan.
He said: "He is a typical Warringtonian, who is passionate about his town and community.
"I am immensely proud that a born and bred Warringtonian is mayor."
Cllr Maureen McLaughlin (LAB – Latchford West) also praised Cllr Morgan, as well as mayoress Gwyn.
She said: "They have put so much effort into building up the St Werburgh's Community Hub.
"Les is very much a family man rooted to the heart of his community."
Cllr Morgan, an avid Warrington Wolves fan, has been married to wife Gwyn for 41 years and has four children and eight grandchildren.
One of his sons, Paul, flew in all the way from America to see his dad sworn into office.
Cllr Morgan is a former trade union official.
He has worked for the GMB union, Unilever and as a doorman, while also boxing at Warrington Boys Club in his younger days.
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