New ceremonial mayor of Rochdale sworn in

Thursday, 15 May 2025 16:44

By George Lythgoe

New ceremonial mayor of Rochdale Janet Emsley and her consort Ken Emsley

The new mayor of Rochdale took on the civic chains in an official ceremony last night.

Coun Janet Emsley took over as ceremonial mayor from her predecessor Coun Shakil Ahmed and will preside over full council meetings for the next year. In a grand ceremony at Rochdale Town Hall’s Great Hall, the new mayor gave an emotional speech, as her fellow councillors, friends and family watched on.

Delivering her speech to an audience of over 300, Coun Emsley said: “I am honoured and so proud to be with you at our fabulous town hall – built as a symbol of civic pride, which is what Ken and I want to share during the year ahead.

“I’m very proud to become the eleventh female mayor of my hometown, during our year as Greater Manchester Town of Culture.

“Thank you to my husband Ken and to all my family for their support, along with my colleagues on the council. We are looking forward to promoting the borough at every opportunity, meeting as many people as we can.”

Coun Emsley has been a councillor for Littleborough Lakeside since 2014. She was born in Littleborough but brought up in Hull and Rochdale.

She went on to become a teacher, startying her career at Balderstone Community School. She also taught at Oulder Hill, Redbrook and Buckley Hall Detention Centre before beginning work at Wardle High School in 1989 – where she stayed until her retirement in 2015.

New deputy mayor Faisal Rana (middle), deputy mayoress Coun Iram Faisal (left) and consort Basharat Umer

Coun Tricia Ayrton, speaking in support of Coun Emsley’s mayoral appointment, said: “Janet is such a much loved and popular councillor which is so clear to see when out and about in Littleborough, and I know she along with her husband Ken as consort will be an excellent mayor.”

Coun Ashley Dearnley praised the new mayor’s unique style and straight talking approach to getting things done, complimenting her as ‘considerate, caring, hard-working and diligent’. He went on to says that Coun Emsley’s late father would be ‘so proud of what she has achieved’.

The new deputy mayor, who will inevitably become the next mayor, is Coun Faisal Rana. His deputy mayoress will be Coun Iram Faisal and their consort will be Basharat Umer.

Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something happening in our Borough?

Let us know by emailing newsdesk@rochvalleyradio.com

All contact will be treated in confidence.

More from Local News

Seven Sisters tenants reaction to the news they could soon be removed

Billy Jackson has called Rochdale’s Seven Sisters home for 40 years. But shock decision means 2025 will be his final year in the iconic tower blocks.
Festive magic arrives in Bury as North Pole Safari Trail transforms town centre

Free augmented reality trail, festive lights switch-on and family events launch Christmas celebrations in Bury
Replacement mosque plans approved despite concerns about parking

Plans to knock down and rebuild a mosque in Prestwich have been approved despite a 1,630 person petition opposing it.
Andy Burnham ‘taken aback’ by decision to move hundreds out of Seven Sisters towers

Andy Burnham was ‘taken aback’ by a decision to clear Rochdale’s iconic ‘Seven Sisters’ tower blocks, forcing hundreds from their homes.
Nine-bed HMO built ‘without permission’ discovered after neighbours complain

Council enforcement officers discovered a nine-bed HMO had been created without permission after a complaint from neighbours, councillors have heard.
Rochdale’s music legacy takes centre stage with iconic Cargo Studios reunion

Rochdale’s rich musical heritage was centre stage at a packed launch event marking the beginning of a new borough-wide celebration called ‘Rochdale Music Stories’, featuring big names like Peter Hook, Clint Boon and Andy McCluskey.
Naked man stops traffic on Rochdale Road in Bury in shocking mid-morning incident

A naked man caused disruption on a busy Bury road on Wednesday morning, swatting at cars and attempting to open vehicle doors before being detained and taken to hospital.
Seven Sisters tower blocks to be emptied over safety concerns

Residents of the iconic tower blocks that have dominated the skyline of Rochdale since the 1960s have been told they will be evicted due to safety concerns.
Culture Co-op secures £1 million to give Rochdale residents more say over arts and creativity

Rochdale’s Culture Co-op has been awarded £1 million to put local people at the heart of cultural decision-making, as part of a £42 million national programme run by Arts Council England.
Hollin pupils turn happiness into poetry during magical session in Middleton

Middleton Library plays host to spellbinding session with Rochdale’s poet laureate Sammy Weaver
Waugh presses government to ensure grooming inquiry tackles race and class ‘head on’

Rochdale MP Paul Waugh says national grooming inquiry must win survivors’ trust and 'follow the evidence wherever it leads’
Goodbye garlic bread? Sandbrook Park Pizza Hut to shut as 68 UK branches axed

Rochdale’s Pizza Hut restaurant is among dozens of UK branches set to permanently shut, after the company that operated the brand in the UK fell into administration.