Councillor Frank Phillips has been elected as the Mayor of Erewash for 2023/24, and succeeds John Sewell who was the Mayor under the former controlling Conservative group.
Councillor Phillips, a former teacher, has been married to Pamela for 50 years. Pamela, who is also a borough councillor, will be supporting him as his consort. They have two sons and five grandchildren.
During his year in office the Mayor will be supporting two charities: the Friends of Erewash Museum and Erewash Community Transport.
Born in Thorne, Yorkshire, Councillor Phillips spent most of his childhood travelling the world. His father was serving in the Royal Air Force and some of his earliest memories are of post-war Germany. The family also lived in Fontainebleau, France, and later in Cyprus during the EOKA troubles. On leaving the RAF the family re-settled in Ilkeston, re-connecting the family link that goes back to at least 1801.
Councillor Phillips went to Bennerley School and went on to work in the lace trade. He joined the Army, and later went to St. Paul’s College in Cheltenham to train as a teacher. He spent 17 years teaching at Brinsley Primary School, then Underwood Primary School until he retired.
A life-member of Ilkeston & District Local History Society, as well as a founding member of the Friends of Erewash Museum, which he started in 1981, Councillor Phillips, said: “I am delighted to have been elected as the First Citizen for the civic year 2023/24 and look forward to visiting all parts of the borough and meeting residents, members of groups and businesses.”
The Deputy Mayor for the 2023/24 civic year is Councillor Kate Fennelly, who represents the Hallam Fields ward on the borough council.