High Peak chooses Mayor and Deputy for coming year

Published on 11 May 2021

High Peak's Mayor and Deputy Mayor for 2021/22 have been appointed.

Councillor Paul Hardy has been elected as Mayor and Councillor Ollie Cross elected as Deputy Mayor.

Councillor Hardy, a life-long Glossop resident, will be joined in his term of office by his wife Mary as Mayoress. The couple served as Deputy Mayor and Mayoress last year.

They have two sons and a grandson, who also all live in Glossop, and very strong links to the town.

Councillor Hardy was a parent governor at St Mary's School where both his sons were educated. He ran the school and church football teams and was one of the founding members of Glossop Juniors Football Club in the 1980s. He currently runs a successful leaflet distribution company with his son.

Both he and Mary are members of two walking groups and enjoy getting out in the beautiful Peak District countryside several times a week.

Councillor Hardy said: "It is an honour to be asked to serve the High Peak as Mayor and I and Mary, the Mayoress, are very much looking forward to supporting the fantastic work that happens in communities across the Borough in the coming year.

"We are acutely aware of the impact Covid has had on everyone and, as restrictions continue to gradually ease, we hope to be able to meet as many of you as possible and to shine a light on the fantastic spirit and team work that has seen us through the pandemic so far and will set us on the right path to recovery.

"As life-long residents we know what a truly special place this is and that's what we will be celebrating as well as supporting causes close to our hearts, including Glossop Mountain Rescue, Partington Theatre Club and the Thomas Theyer Foundation, through the Mayor's charity."

Incoming Deputy Mayor, Councillor Ollie Cross who represents Padfield, lives in Hadfield with his partner Gillian Cox, her two sons and their dog.

He and Gill are part of the team at Carmel Church making packed lunches for local schoolchildren in Hadfield, Padfield and Tintwistle. Councillor Cross is also a governor at Padfield Community Primary School and Secretary of Hadfield Coming Together, the local community group that runs the Bellies Not Bins foodbank, where he and Gill both help out.

He said: "I'm humbled to have been appointed Deputy Mayor of High Peak and will put my heart and soul into it alongside my partner Gill who has agreed to be Deputy Mayoress alongside everything else she does for our community. My commitment to Padfield remains unwavering and I will continue to find time for regular litter picks and Bellies Not Bins even with my new duties.

"I want to wish our new Mayor, Councillor Hardy, the very best of luck and every success in the role. I have no doubt that he will be an excellent Mayor and I will support him in whatever way I can.

"I also want to place on record my immense gratitude to the departing Mayor, Councillor Ed Kelly, for all his hard work, dedication and selflessness over the past couple of years during difficult circumstances."

There's more information about the Mayor and Deputy Mayor on our website where you can also invite them to attend your event www.highpeak.gov.uk/article/267/Mayor-of-High-Peak