Young people and women championed by new town mayor

Biddulph’s new mayor has said it was the town’s responsibility to ensure that its young people had the “opportunities, support and access” they needed to thrive.

As she was handed the chain of office, Coun Charlie Smith also said that women “absolutely deserve a seat at the table wherever decisions are being made about you and your community”.

The mother-of-two has taken over as Biddulph’s civic leader from Coun Adrian Lawton.

During her year in office, the representative for Biddulph West on the Town and District Council will be holding events in aid of Green Tree House community café, which serves home-cooked food at a reduced rate and runs a community supermarket.

During the recent mayor-making ceremony at the town hall, Coun Smith outlined her life so far in Biddulph, saying how she moved to the town from North Wales when she was 13 and had attended Woodhouse Middle School and Biddulph High School, where her children now attend.

Before becoming a councillor she was “deeply involved” with the Green Tree House project, which she said “was born from an important truth” — that while Biddulph was “a wonderful place to live” there remained “a real disparity” between those thriving and those who were struggling.

Coun Smith and husband Scott founded the Troll Run, for children who faced barriers to accessing exercise, with the support of Biddulph Air Cadets, Biddulph Youth and Community Zone and the town’s Rotary Club.

She is a qualified social worker supporting adults with complex health needs.

Coun Smith told the chamber: “The role demands values of social justice, service and advocacy, and it is those values that underpin my work as a councillor too.”

She added: “I firmly believe that economic status should never be a barrier to opportunity. If you know me, you’ll know that I do not shy away from speaking up for those who feel excluded.

“Whether it’s play equipment, lending libraries or pocket parks, I approach everything through the lens of parity, equality and equity.”

The new mayor said that Biddulph was home to almost 20,000 people and that, according to the 2021 census, around 20% of the population was under 18.

“That’s a significant number of young people growing up in our town, and I feel it’s our responsibility to ensure they have opportunities, support and access they need to thrive, because behind those numbers are real children, real families and real futures.”

Coun Smith said she would be raising money during her year in office for what she described as a “bill for activities fund”, designed to help children access clubs, activities and equipment they might otherwise be excluded from due to cost.

“Every child deserves the chance to discover their passions, to stay active and to feel a sense of belonging, because exclusion — especially in those formative years — can have lasting impact on well-being and mental health and can contribute to disconnection from their communities,” she said.

Alongside this, Biddulph’s new mayor said she would be hosting standalone events throughout the year in support of the Green Tree House.

“Food security is a very real issue and work poverty is more common than many realise,” she said.

“Organisations like this are vital — they provide dignity, support and practical help to families across our town.”

In praising the Green Tree House, she mentioned that the charity was being considered for a King’s Award, seen as the MBE for voluntary services. She also championed women in her address during the mayor-making.

“I don’t come from a wealthy background; I come from a family that instilled in me the value of hard work and graft,” she said.

“As a woman in politics I want to say this clearly: visibility matters. I’m here as proof that you can sit at the head table, that you can chair meetings and that you absolutely deserve a seat at the table wherever decisions are being made about you and your community.

“I’m thankful for the women who came before me and the women who fought for women’s rights, and continue to do so.”

Coun Smith said that local politics “is about making the place where you live better, working together for the common good, irrespective of personal politics”.

She also praised the town council’s chief officer of 10 years, Sarah Haydon, saying that “tonight we’re also celebrating a truly special milestone.”

Sitting next to Ms Haydon, who earlier this year received the town clerk of the year award, Coun Smith said: “Over the last decade Sarah’s taken this council from strength to strength with dedication, professionalism and an unbelievable ability to keep everything and everyone running smoothly. Let’s be honest, we all know who runs the show around here!”

Coun Smith had been nominated as mayor by Coun Jill Salt, who said: “She’s strong, courageous and will be a role model to women and girls throughout this town and the county, and possibly over the border, including Cheshire.

“She’s got excellent values. She’s a social worker by trade and believes in justice, equality and fairness, and I’m sure that’s what she’ll lead with. She’s got dirt under her fingernails and is a proven community champion with the support of her family and friends. And you can just see how packed this room is tonight to know how loved Charlie is.”

Coun Smith’s first mayoral duty was to hand out thousands of pounds in community grants to groups and charities in Biddulph.

They included the Green Tree House, Biddulph Youth and Community Zone, 1st Biddulph Moor Scout Group, Friends of BRIC (Biddulph Resource and Information Centre), Biddulph in Bloom, Biddulph Greenfingers, Knypersley Cricket Club, Staged, Biddulph Festival and Citizens Advice North Staffordshire.

As she handed over the cheques, Coun Smith told the community groups: “Your hard work, dedication and commitment to improving the lives of others make an enormous difference in our town. Whether through supporting local groups, helping vulnerable residents, creating opportunities for young people, preserving our heritage or bringing neighbours together, your efforts leave a lasting impact on our community.”