New Mayor Commits to Unite Chamber

The new Mayor of South Tyneside is Councillor Fay Cunningham.

Councillor Cunningham was presented with the Chains of Office by outgoing Mayor, Councillor John McCabe, at the Annual Mayor Making ceremony held at South Shields Town Hall this week.

Having previously held the office of Mayor of South Tyneside in 2014-15, Councillor Cunningham will once again carry out her civic duties alongside her Mayoress and dear friend Stella Matthewson.

The Mayor said: "Being Mayor and Mayoress once was very special. But twice - if you care about your town as much as we do, then it is the stuff dreams are made of.

"We pledge ourselves to the people and we will work hard to promote South Tyneside and be the very best of ambassadors."

As she welcomed a raft of new councillors to the Council Chamber following recent Local Government elections, the new Mayor added: "We must acknowledge that the winds of change have most definitely blown through these illustrious corridors and I think it is important that we all genuinely embrace this change and work together for residents of our town.

"We are entering a new and exciting era and the road ahead will not be easy. I don't believe that any of us, on both sides of this Chamber, who put ourselves through the hard work and discomfort of the election process, do so without having a genuine and burning desire to make South Tyneside a better place."

Mum of two and grandmother of four, Councillor Cunningham has lived in the Borough since childhood.

Before retiring, Councillor Cunningham had worked at South Tyneside Council as the Mayor's secretary for many years. She was also a Unison shop steward for many years and has also served on the governing bodies of local primary schools. She continues to hold position on the Management Committee of Boldon Community Association.

Her interests include local history. She is also Honorary Secretary of the Mission to Seafarers at South Shields, Chair of Cancer Connections, Chair of Inspire's Volunteer Co-ordinators' Network and Secretary of Arts for Wellbeing.

Councillor Cunningham was elected to represent the Boldon Colliery ward on South Tyneside in May 2023. She had previously served in Bede ward between 2011-2019.

Councillor Jay Potts was appointed as the new Deputy Mayor. He will serve alongside new Deputy Mayoress, Audrey Huntley.

Former Mayor, Councillor John McCabe, who held office alongside his wife Julie, the former Mayoress, said: "As we reflect on our time in office, the Mayoress and I have had an incredible experience representing our wonderful Borough.

"We met so many special people doing some fantastic work in our communities. It's a period of our lives we will look back on fondly and with amazing memories. We thank everyone for their support and helping us to raise money for good causes."

Councillor McCabe added: "Congratulations to the new Mayor and Mayoress. It is such an important role for our Borough and an excellent way of promoting all that is great about South Tyneside."

Thanks were also given to former Deputy Mayor and Deputy Mayoress, Margaret Peacock and Gladys Hobson, for their service.

The Mayor Making ceremony and Annual Borough Council can be viewed online on the Council's YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMg2olxaTZ0