Former headteacher named as new Mayor
The new Mayor of Dudley has pledged to help three charities during her year as the first citizen of Dudley borough.
Councillor Hilary Bills was officially sworn in at a meeting this evening (Thurs).
The former teacher promised to do “everything possible” to raise money for Access in Dudley, Diabetes UK and the Friends of Dudley Performing Arts.
Councillor Hilary Bills, Mayor of Dudley, said:
It is a real honour to be Mayor of this borough and a wonderful opportunity to raise some much-needed funding for these incredible charities, and I will be doing everything possible to do that and raise their profile too.
Without these charities people would simply not have access to help and support that they need, so I urge people to give and do what they can to help out.
I am also really looking forward to meeting new people and flying the flag for the borough at a range of civic occasions.
Councillor Bills was a teacher for 42 years and a headteacher for a decade. She was also President of the National Union of Teachers and is currently secretary of Halesowen in Bloom. The Halesowen North ward councillor has also been cabinet member.
In 2018/19 and 19/20 Councillor Bills served as deputy Mayor and now takes over from Councillor Andrea Goddard, who served as Mayor over the past year. Councillor Bills’ husband, John, was named consort for the year ahead.
Councillor Pete Lee will remain as deputy Mayor, a role he has had for the past 12 months.