This year’s newly-appointed Mayor of the Borough of North East Lincolnshire has been confirmed as Labour Councillor Janet Goodwin.
Councillor Goodwin was elected following a Mayor Making Ceremony at Grimsby Town Hall. The event takes place each year, with all 42 Councillors electing a Mayor for the forthcoming Municipal year.
The role of Mayor in North East Lincolnshire will see her chair Council meetings, as well as meeting representatives of charities, community organisations and businesses, as well as representing the North East Lincolnshire Council at official functions.
This will be the first time that Councillor Janet Goodwin has held the office of The Worshipful The Mayor of the Borough of North East Lincolnshire. Conservative Councillor Marian Boyd has been elected Deputy Mayor.
Councillor Goodwin has lived in Grimsby all her life, growing up in Scartho with her two brothers and sister. Her father worked as a fisherman, while her mother balanced a part-time job at Birds Eye. She is married to Barry and has two daughters, Lindsey and Victoria, along with four grandchildren.
Her career has spanned various roles, beginning with packing fish at Chaldur’s Frozen Food Company, followed by working as a barmaid while raising her children. Later, she joined Greggs, before moving on to work with the BFAWU union, where she focused on engaging workers in learning opportunities. After 15 years in this role, she returned to Greggs until retirement, now focusing more on community work within South Ward.
In a statement issued via the Council, Councillor Goodwin said she is committed to supporting communities across North East Lincolnshire, ensuring that those who may struggle to access help know that support is available. She added that she was diagnosed with dyslexia at the age of 55, which she says has given her greater confidence in the journey she has taken.
Following her election, Cllr Goodwin gave her thanks to fellow Councillors. “I’d like to thank my fellow Councillors for their nomination. I’m incredibly grateful to them, and this is a really proud moment for me,” she said. “I am looking forward to the year ahead.”
Councillor Goodwin will undertake a range of activities during her Mayoral Year to raise funds for her chosen charities – Women’s Aid and Not Home Alone.
Part of the Gi Grimsby News team since 2020.