LIVERPOOL'S new Lord Mayor, Erica Kemp, has set herself a massive task in the coming year - to have a “dementia friend” in every road and street in the city.
More people are already living with senile dementia as life-expectancy increases, prompting the ambitious challenge from one of the city's last remaining Lib Dem councillors.
Cllr Kemp takes over the council chamber hot seat from Gary Millar who during his high profile year in office used social media to spread the work of his office and the city.
And Cllr Kemp is only too aware of the pros and cons of instant fame on platforms such as youtube.
“I’ve had the mayoral robes shortened to ensure I don’t trip over as I walk up a flight of stairs, with the thought of me falling flat on my face becoming viral,” said Cllr Kemp.
Becoming Liverpool’s first citizen has reduced the size of the Lib Dem group in the council chamber by a third!
As the Lord Mayor is traditionally apolitical during his or her year of office, the Leader of the Lib Dem group – the Lord Mayor’s hubby, Cllr Richard Kemp – has just one shoulder to lean on, Woolton’s Cllr Barbara Mace.
And being a lifelong teacher, the Lord Mayor says she will be using classroom tactics to keep the class of 2014 in order.
“I already have a collection of things to say, borrowed from my profession; things like, ‘the bell is for my benefit, not for yours’ and ‘I’m prepared to sit here all night to conclude this debate if I need to’.”
What about a challenge to one of the council chamber’s most prolific orators, Cllr Richard Kemp?
“Oh that one is easy. I will just say to him: ‘We can discuss this at home later’.
Cllr Kemp arrived in Liverpool in 1962 with her widowed mother, shortly after the death of her father in Southend-on-Sea.
Her teaching took her into a specialist area, schools for children with special needs or behavioural problems, a job she says she adored.
Does the Lord Mayor think the dynamics of the council chamber will be different with Labour members occupying all but 10 of the 90 seats?
“I’ve been in politics long enough to know and respect the decisions of the electorate,” answered Cllr Kemp.
Erica Kemp and consort daughter Rachel
In her inaugural speech to councillors last night she said: “It is an honour and a privilege to be asked to take on the role of Lord Mayor of Liverpool. I am passionate and proud of this wonderful city and its rich mixture of people. I am hoping that this position will enable me to meet with as many of the wonderful Liverpudlians who make this city so special.”
Cllr Kemp, along with consort daughter Rachel, will make up the first all-female mayoral team since 1997.
“I am also delighted that my younger daughter, Rachel, will be joining me as Lady Mayoress on the momentous journey,” she told the chamber. “I aim to not only raise money for some very worthy causes, but also to engage the local community in volunteering and making a difference to the area in which they live.”
Rachel is currently working towards a PhD at Manchester University, studying end-of-life care in dementia patients.
At last night’s meeting, the new Lord Mayor threw down a challenge to all councillors to help recruit dementia friends in every street in their wards.
Rachel will also be “dementia champion” during the year, with one of her first tasks to teach all Town Hall staff to be dementia-friendly.
The Lord Mayor’s nominated charities are The Alzheimer’s Society, The County of Merseyside Branch of The Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA), Teenage Cancer Trust and The Reader Organisation.
