Chesterfield's new mayor hopes to help town through 'difficult times'

Councillor Glenys Falconer will serve as mayor until May 2022, as her term in office has been extended due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Coun Falconer said: “I am honoured to take the position of Mayor of Chesterfield. These are difficult times for everyone, so I hope that I can help the town look forward to a happier year.”

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As a Liberal Democrat councillor, she represents Holmebrook ward and has served as a councillor for a total of 13 years since first being elected in 1999.

Coun Falconer has been a member of the appeals and regulatory committee as well as the planning committee at Chesterfield Borough Council.

After a varied career that included working as a childminder for more than a decade, Coun Falconer has now retired.

However, she continues to volunteer as a befriender and sits on the board of local charity Hope Springs.

In her spare time, she sings with the choir at the Royal Hospital and spends as much time as possible with her 16 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

She is married to Councillor Keith Falconer who has previously served as Mayor of Chesterfield himself.

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Councillor Tony Rogers has been named as deputy mayor, and will also serve until May 2022.

Coun Rogers, also a Liberal Democrat, has previously served on the council from 2003 to 2011 and was elected again in 2018 to represent Moor ward.

He is a member of the appeals and regulatory committee as well as the licensing committee.

The mayor carries out our civic ceremonial duties and chairs meetings of the full council. Mayors are elected on an annual basis by full council.

Coun Falconer will replace Councillor Gordon Simmons, who served as mayor in 2019/20.

His duties included releasing an open letter to the people of Chesterfield in April, alongside Councillor Tricia Gilby, leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, to thank the whole community for their efforts to keep the town as safe and well as possible during the pandemic.

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.