New Lord Mayor will be 'great ambassador' for Bradford

Thornton and Allerton Councillor Bev Mullaney (Lab) was handed the chains of office for the coming year on Tuesday, when fellow councillors praised her dedication to the city.

At the Annual General Meeting of Bradford Council, she revealed her Lord Mayor’s Appeal for the year would help support the district’s disadvantaged young people.

Lord Mayor Bev Mullaney with her granddaughter Winnie (Image: Newsquest)

Cllr Mullaney, who has worked at Seabrooks and for Barnardos, takes over the role from Councillor Gerry Barker (Cons, Wharfedale).

Nominating Cllr Mullaney for the role, Council Leader Susan Hinchcliffe said: “She is a brilliant candidate to be Lord Mayor. She is a real people person and loves helping people – which makes her a great community activist for Allerton, a place she has lived since she was nine years old.

“She really gets stuck in, it is not just style, it is substance. She loves being part of Bradford, and is looking forward to being an ambassador for the place.”

Cllr Mullaney with her husband Tom (Image: Newsquest)

She pointed out that Cllr Mullaney would be Bradford’s public face for the first few months of its year as City of Culture.

Councillor Allison Coates (Cons, Baildon), said: “She is a dedicated, really hard working Councillor who always puts her constituents first.”

Councillor Matt Edwards (Green, Tong) said Cllr Mullaney never seeks to divide, and “always finds a way to bring people together.

“2025 is going to be a great year for Bradford, and she will be a great ambassador for the city.”

Councillor Mohammed Shafiq (Lab, Bradford Moor) was appointed Deputy Lord Mayor for the year.

Lord Mayor Bev Mullaney with her Deputy Mohammed Shafiq (Image: Newsquest)

Accepting the role, Cllr Mullaney said: “It is a great honour and privilege to represent our great city and district, especially was we prepare for City of Culture next year. It is a very exciting time for Bradford.”

The new Lord Mayor also launched her Lord Mayor’s Appeal “The Lord Mayor's Ambition Academy”.

Through this appeal she is seeking to help young, disadvantaged people across the district achieve their dreams by providing grants.

Lord Mayor Bev Mullaney being given the robes of office (Image: Newsquest)

Following a series of fundraising events and donations, grant awards will be made available to individuals, schools and community groups within the Bradford District to help identify those who need that first step on the road to success. More information will become available on how people can apply for a grant.