5 minute read
Live Preston & Fylde Issue 108 (September 2022)
A MAYOR TO BE PROUD OF…
In May this year, the city of Preston formally welcomed Councillor Neil Darby as its 694th Mayor and one of the youngest to hold the role at just 34 years old, writes Emma Brereton. Photography: Michael Porter Photography
Rich in history, the city of Preston has appointed a Mayor since the 1100s when the role had much wider authority and power than it does today. In present time, the position is a civic one with the Mayor acting as the city’s first citizen, which means they speak on behalf of the city and are an important part of its identity.
It’s unusual and refreshing to find a ‘thirty-something’ brave enough to do all they can to make a difference by immersing themselves within the community and running for council. For Councillor Neil Darby, it was a path chosen following his degree in Politics and Parliamentary Studies at Leeds University. There he served a placement year in Preston within the office of Sir Menzies Campbell MP and cemented his political affiliation with the Liberal Democrats.
Councillor Darby says: “I joined the Liberal Democrat party while I was at university and when I moved to Preston following my degree, I was lucky enough to work alongside Councillor Bill Winlow.
“It was working with Bill where I really got to grips with what we could do to make a difference in our local community. We went back to basics, if you like, and knocked on doors. The reception I got was very welcoming. People were surprised to meet a councillor in person, who was there to listen and help where possible.”
It’s this tone of ‘taking action’ that emulates from Neil. He is a Mayor who wants to do as much as possible during his year in office. He is someone with integrity who believes that the best way to make change is by connecting with people and, most importantly, the young people in the community.
The Mayor continues: “My mum has a saying, ‘you either put up or shut up’ and I’m no good at shutting up. I have always believed that if you want to make a difference you must stick your head above the parapet and make your voice heard.
“I have several school visits planned where I want to hold sessions for pupils to ask questions about the role of Mayor, the city’s councillors and what they can do to make where they live a better place.”
He has represented the Ingol and Cottam ward since its creation in 2019, is the Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group on Preston City Council and has also been on the Planning Committee since that election.
“Being the youngest Mayor of Preston in modern times and part of the LGBTQ+ community shows the growing diversity of elected councillors at the City Council and being representative of the current make-up of Preston residents. I will also be representing my community at Preston Pride this year in an official role.”
Each Mayor adopts their own personal approach to the role, establishing their own priorities and interests, such as youth, disabled or elderly people: “I hope to make a positive difference to the community and to provide a voice to those who might otherwise go unheard. It’s a difficult time for so many households at the moment and it’s important to me that residents know they’re not alone and they have a council who will listen and take action where needed.”
Councillor Darby has selected Intact community centre, Ingol, along with Lancashire Teaching Hospitals charity as his mayoral causes for the year. A keen runner, Neil has completed the Manchester Marathon and will be running Preston’s 10k to raise money for these worthy charities.
“I chose Intact after seeing first hand in Ingol and Tanterton the amazing work they do for people in the area to help tackle food and fuel poverty.
“The second charity is Lancashire Teaching Hospitals and is in part as a response to the impact that Covid has had on our local hospital and the hard work done by staff throughout the crisis. It is also partly a tribute to the fantastic work done by the NHS in caring for my mum who suffers from a chronic medical condition.”
There’s no doubt that Councillor Darby is passionate about the welfare of this city and he is determined to do the best job possible just by listening and treating people with respect. He is a credit to the political system at a very bleak time. •
Mayoral activities throughout the year will be shared on social media:
FACEBOOK: Preston Mayor
TWITTER: Preston Mayor
