Mayor Making Ceremony 2015 - Councillor Surinder Biant is the new Mayor

Mayoress Cecile Biant and Mayor Surinder Biant

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Councillor Surinder Biant was sworn in as the new Mayor of Rochdale Borough at a special ceremony last night (Tuesday 19 May).

Held at Rochdale Town Hall, the event was attended by former mayors and distinguished guests as the departing Mayor, Councillor Carol Wardle, handed over the chain to Councillor Biant.

Born in Nairobi, Surinder left school at the age of 14 to work for his brother in Uganda as a plumber and drain layer. He went back to school at 18 and trained as a teacher. He taught Science and P.E. in Uganda before moving to Nottingham where he continued his studies.

Surinder moved to Rochdale in 1969 where he taught at the English Teaching Centre and Greenhill School before becoming Acting Deputy Director of Education at the Council.

He was President of the Rochdale United Volleyball Club, is President of the UK Friends of Kenya Cricket and has brought their national team to play in Rochdale.

In 1993, he was the driving force in fundraising for the building of the Lake Bogoria Rochdale Secondary School in Loboi, Kenya, where £80,000 was raised in a day.

He has also raised significant funds for Children in Need and was honoured for his services to the community with an invitation from Prince Charles to Buckingham palace.

He has represented Spotland and Falinge Ward since 2010 and has served on several committees, including being the council’s representative on Transport for Greater Manchester. He is currently serving as Assistant Cabinet Member for Children, Schools and Families. He is a Governor of Spotland Primary School.

Speaking at the ceremony, Surinder said: “We will continue to carry on with the work and promotion that Carol and Beverly have done in promoting the good in Rochdale.

"When I came to Rochdale in 1969, I returned to my wife Cecile and told her that Rochdale was a beautiful place.

"Rochdale has a lot to be proud of from its heritage, to its buildings, its environment and the friendship that the people of Rochdale offers.

"Let us all tell people of how proud of Rochdale that we are.”

His wife, Councillor Cecile Biant, will be taking on the role as Mayoress for the upcoming year.

Councillor Ray Dutton was sworn in as Deputy Mayor for the year and will be joined by his wife, Elaine Dutton as Deputy Mayoress.

Councillor Dutton has chaired Heywood Township Committee for the past two years and serves on the Audit and Regulatory Committee, East Lancs Railway Trust, Heywood Magic Market Trust and Charities Fete. He has served as a school governor at Siddal Moor Sports College and is the chairman of governors at Newlands Special Needs School in Middleton and is vice chairman at Harwood Park Primary School.

The Mayor’s Charity Appeal for 2015-2016 will raise money for Petrus, Pakeeza Women’s Group, Children’s Deaf Society, Shopmobility and Springhill Hospice as well as other local charities.

Donations can be made direct to:

The Mayor's Office
Town Hall
Rochdale
OL16 1AB

Cheques should be made payable to ‘The Mayor’s Charity'.