Wyre Council has elected Councillor Steve Nicholls as its new Mayor for 2025/26 following a meeting of full council on 15 May. Councillor Jane Preston has been elected as Deputy Mayor.
Councillor Steve Nicholls has served as a Conservative Councillor for Hardhorn with Highcross ward since May 2023. He was Deputy Mayor for the municipal year 2024-25 and has served as a member of the Licensing Committee. He is an active member of the Poulton Rotary Club and the Friends of Jean Stansfield Park. Over the years he has supported numerous charitable causes, including Fleetwood Youth Hub, The King’s Trust and The Salvation Army home in Fleetwood. He has also shown strong support for the Veterans Garden at Norcross and attended VE Day services and celebrations at Fleetwood Memorial Park.
Looking at the municipal year ahead, Councillor Nicholls is looking forward to his time as Mayor in Wyre. He commented, "As Mayor, I look forward to visiting every community and region within the district, discovering new places, meeting people from all walks of life, attending community events and awards and proudly representing our borough.".
Councillor Nicholls has appointed The Salvation Army and the Army Benevolent Fund as his chosen charities for his term as Mayor. The Salvation Army provides support to vulnerable individuals and communities through services such as homelessness assistance, food distribution, addiction recovery and emergency relief. The Army Benevolent Fund is the British Army’s national charity, providing lifelong support to soldiers, veterans and their families in times of need.
During last night’s meeting of full council, the outgoing Mayor, Councillor Jane Preston invited her charities from last year, Sam’s Place and Fleetwood Town Community Trust, to hand over funds raised during her year as Mayor. She also presented the prestigious H.M.S Sheraton Trophy to 15 year old Amelia Cowburn, a rising star who has brought pride to the borough because of her achievements.
Amelia has battled a lifelong disability to reach county and national level in competitive swimming in her category as part of the Fleetwood Makos, and has started on the pathway to the Paralympic swimming team. Amelia’s determination to excel at school in the face of great hurdles has led to her being awarded the Duke of Edinburgh Bronze award and recognition awards for academic progress. Amelia is also active in her community, raising money as part of the Christmas Close charity fundraising effort.
During the meeting the newly elected Mayor appointed Horateo Broomhall as Youth Mayor for Wyre. The role of Youth Mayor was created jointly by Wyre Council and Lancashire County Council to help identify the needs of local young people and what's important to them.