The London Borough of Merton has announced its Mayor elect as Raynes Park Ward Councillor, Margaret Brierly, who will take over the role from Councillor Maxi Martin at the annual Mayor making ceremony on Wednesday 19 May.

Councillor Brierly was elected to Merton Council in 1994 and has served on a variety of committees and recently held the position of Shadow Cabinet Member for Care Services. She has also been an active member of the Overview & Scrutiny Commission with a particular interest in health.

Councillor Margaret Brierly was born and raised in Raynes Park. Her great grandfather came to Colliers Wood in the 1860’s, as a newly ordained priest, and the family has lived in Merton ever since. After several years away, training and working as a nurse, midwife and health visitor, Margaret returned to Raynes Park when she married in 1968. Sadly Margaret was widowed some years ago but is very thankful and proud of the success of her three sons. Her youngest son William, also a Merton Councillor, will act as the Mayor’s Consort. Councillor Brierly has also served as Governor for both Hollymount Primary School and Raynes Park Secondary School for a number of years.

For this years Mayors charities, Councillor Brierly has chosen St Raphael’s Hospice as well as a special project to support families with disabled children run by Crossroads. Crossroads is a charity which cares for carers and aims to offer and provide a high quality, home based, individual respite service to carers and people with care needs within Merton.

Councillor Brierly said of her new role: ‘It is a privilege to have been given this wonderful opportunity to meet new people and to build on the many friendships which I already have within our community.’

Leader of the Council, Councillor Andrew Judge said: ‘Margaret Brierly is a hard working Councillor of long standing and I am sure that her Mayoralty will be a success.’

Leader of the Opposition, Councillor David Williams said: ‘Margaret Brierly has worked tirelessly as a Ward Councillor and Shadow Cabinet Member. She is very popular with colleagues on all sides of the Council and will make an excellent Mayor.’

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For more information contact:
Ida Bergfors or Sophie Poole
020 8545 4093

Note to News editors: If you would like to attend the Mayor Making ceremony please contact Sophie Poole on 020 8545 3181.