I am absolutely thrilled that two of my dear friends and constituents, Cllr Tafheen Sharif and Cllr Betty Affleck, have been elected as Tameside Council’s next Mayor and Deputy Mayor. You could not meet two nicer people or harder working community servants. Taf will be Tameside’s first Muslim and ethnic minority mayor. The pair’s mayoralty will officially begin on 23 May 2023 and will include TMBC’s 50th anniversary on 1st April 2024. Taf has chosen HomeStart, Pauline Town’s homelessness help and West African Development (supporting Tameside’s ethnic minority communities) as her charities to support over her year of office. Congratulations Madam Mayor, her Consort Faisal and Madam Deputy Mayor, you all have my full support and best wishes for the year ahead!