The new Mayor of Cheshire East says the borough is facing many changes in the coming year and she sees her role as one of providing stability in the evolving landscape.

Macclesfield councillor Judy Snowball, a passionate wildlife campaigner, was sworn in as the borough's mayor at a special ceremony at Tatton Park on Wednesday (13 May).

She told councillors and guests: "This year is likely to be an exciting one in many ways.

"We are changing our governance model from a committee system to a cabinet one.

"We are seeing the arrival of devolution with a combined authority, and we are in an election year (May 2027).

Congleton councillor, Rob Moreton, was elected as deputy mayor for 2026/27 (Photo: Belinda Ryan, LDRS).

"There are great challenges in this coming year for us all, and great opportunities and I see the mayoral role as one of providing stability, a constant in this evolving landscape."

Cllr Snowball said she will be launching a mayor's cadet system later in the year.

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"The position of mayor's cadet will be a prestigious honorary role awarded to outstanding young people from local uniformed youth groups, honouring the cadet for leadership and community service," she said

"Later in the year, I want to extend this scheme to non-uniformed services too.

"Cadets will support the mayor at some of our civic events, and the appointments will last for one year."

Cllr Snowball will be supporting three charities in her mayoral year.

KeyRing, which, among a wide range of support services for neurodiverse people, provides specific support for neurodiverse people who find themselves encountering the criminal justice system.

This was a charity Cllr Chris Hilliard was particularly devoted to.

Cllr Hilliard sadly died suddenly last year.

The new mayor said her career in criminal justice had shown her how vital this person-centred support is for neurodiverse people in this challenging environment.

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She is also supporting Cardiac Risk In The Young, a charity which works with 'To Macclesfield Love Mia' and in memory of Mia Jennings who died suddenly in 2023 at the age of 19.

And the third charity is Her Place, which is dedicated to empowering and uplifting women and girls across Cheshire through tailored wellbeing services, advocacy and community support.

Congleton councillor Rob Moreton was elected as deputy mayor for 2026/27.