From a casino to council: Meet Walsall's new Mayor Councillor Louise Harrison

Councillor Louise Harrison, who has been a councillor for the Bloxwich West ward since 2004, was voted in as the borough’s new Mayor on Tuesday, May 20. She takes over from Councillor Harris. 

Meanwhile Councillor Chris Bott was voted in as deputy mayor at a meeting on Monday.

Councillor Louise Harrison grew up in the Pleck area of Walsall and moved to Pelsall as a small child, attending Shelfield Infants’ School.

She later moved to Great Wyrley in the early 1980s and studied at Landywood Middle School and Great Wyrley High School. She then went to Cannock College to study science and health and in her early working career she worked at Cannock Hospital and a local adult training centre.

In 1996, Councillor Harrison trained to be a croupier at the Royal Casino, Walsall, and continued working in the casino industry until 2016 when she had a change of career becoming an office manager for a mechanical and electrical repairs and maintenance company.

In 1999, Councillor Harrison and her family moved from Short Heath to Bloxwich, and she was encouraged to stand for election for the Bloxwich West ward in 2004 by former mayor of Walsall, Councillor Melvin Pitt.

Last year, she was elected as deputy mayor to sit alongside Mayor Anthony Harris.

Councillor Harrison has chosen both her partner, Brad, and her son, Liam, to stand alongside her as consorts.

She said: “I’m deeply honoured and genuinely humbled to accept the role of mayor of Walsall.

“As mayor, I will champion inclusion, equality and community connections with all our residents. Let us continue to build common ground, recognise what unites us, not what separates us and celebrate all that is good about Walsall and its wonderful and diverse communities.

“I want to say to councillor Harris, thank you for the support and advice you gave me over the years. Also, for your tireless efforts, your approachability and bringing back cherished traditions.

“I can’t not say a special thanks to Councillor Andrew, Councillor Bird, Councillor Follows and former Councillor Allen for never giving up on me when others did. I wouldn’t be here today without your help.

“Lastly I thank the people of Bloxwich and the people of Walsall for allowing me the honour of serving you all. It is my hope throughout this year that Walsall will continue to strengthen, unite and expand in opportunity. Together with pride in our past and hope in our hearts lets shape a better future for all.”

In an emotional farewell, Councillor Anthony Harris said: “I’ve had the privilege to meet many people working on and on behalf of our community.

“With the exception of my family, this last 12 months of my mayoralty has been the best thing I’ve ever done in my long life.

“I could not carry out my duties without my family keeping the show on the road. A special thanks to Christina, the love of my life, for her invaluable support.

“We must never forget we have a duty of care to treasure this most beautiful building and its history. It is, without a doubt, the jewel in the crown of the West Midlands.

“I’ve been to many towns in the West Midlands and I can tell you, we are the best.

“To have the distinction as the most improved council with a balanced budget is one hell of an accolade when everyone all around us is going bust, skint, with dried up cakes and tea that’s cold.

“May God bless you all and thank you for the opportunity.”