Ex-Coventry council leader announced as Lord Mayor for year as UK City of Culture 2021 - The Coventry Observer

Ex-Coventry council leader announced as Lord Mayor for year as UK City of Culture 2021

Coventry Editorial 21st Feb, 2019 Updated: 21st Feb, 2019   0

DIVISIVE ex-council leader Ann Lucas has been announced as Coventry’s Lord Mayor for its year as UK City of Culture 2021.

She will first become deputy Lord Mayor for 2019/20 before taking up the lead role in 2020/21.

Councillor Lucas – the first female leader of Coventry City Council – says it is an honour to take up the historic roles at such an exciting time.

The mother of two was leader of the council from 2013 to 2016.




A divisive figure as leader, she had to stave off challengers to her premiership as well as accusations of misleading taxpayers.

Councillor Lucas said: “It is a tremendous honour and privilege to have been named deputy Lord Mayor of the city that means so much to me.


“I have served the people of Coventry and the council for a number of years, but really look forward to serving the city in a different way as their deputy Lord Mayor.

“There are very exciting times ahead for Coventry, with the changes in our city and UK City of Culture 2021.

“I know it will be a very busy time and hard work but I am proud to be representing the city and look forward to meeting many new people.”

Councillor Lucas was born in Coventry and has spent her life in the city.

She is married to husband Ray, has two children and six grandchildren.

After joining the Labour Party in 1978 she became the union rep at Whitley Council between 1967 and 1972.

She was the GMB (hotel and catering union) shop steward between 1978 and 1988.

She is chair of Bablake Ward Labour and has been vice chair of Coventry North West Labour Party.

Councillor Lucas was also a member of the National Policy Forum, which gives grass root political input to shadow ministers at Westminster.

She was a member of Labour Party’s ruling National Executive Committee (NEC) and was National Champion for domestic violence issues.

She was a for Bablake Ward between 1995 and 1999 and was re-elected in the Holbrook Ward in 2000, the ward she currently represents.

At the council, Mrs Lucas has held cabinet positions in social services, culture and leisure and was cabinet member for health and community services before becoming leader.

Ann was awarded an OBE in the Queen’s New Year Honours List in 2014.

Ann lists her interests as reading, politics, dancing, socialising, and eating out.

She has had a flying lesson, joined a white water rafting team to raise funds for cystic fibrosis and has done a parachute jump to raise funds for Baby Lifeline.

Councillor Linda Bigham will be the Lord Mayor of Coventry for 2019.

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