One of the more interesting characters to have worn Leicester’s Mayoral regalia in recent years, Councillor Rob Wann has experienced all the highs and lows that local politics has to offer, but remains determined to continue serving the city he loves.

Rob was appointed as Leicester’s Lord Mayor in May and is extremely proud of the position.

“I found out two years ago, after 25 years of being a councillor through some pretty tough times. Making decisions on De Montfort Hall, Phoenix Square and Aylestone Meadows, was particularly tough, but decisions have to be made.

“After all the years you’ve served as a politician, to have a year off, be apolitical and represent Leicester and its citizens is a massive honour and one that I’ll cherish for the rest of my life.

“I’m really enjoying it. This is a very busy role with a lot of ceremonial and official engagements. The main thrust is visiting charities and voluntary organisations and saying thank you on behalf of everybody in the city.”

A veteran of the City and County Council, Wann has dedicated his life to local politics. He spoke passionately about what drew him to the career and recounted some of the highlights.

“I was a county councillor for 13 years and have been a city councillor for over 25 years. You begin a career in politics because want to make a difference and you want to serve. I wanted to see change in the area that I lived. It’s all about social justice and making sure people get a good deal.

“Being Chairman of the Police Authority was a big job and I was

Chairman of the Police Complaints Authority. It’s a huge responsibility and all of a sudden this rugby playing lad from Braunstone was chairing the Police! I did that for seven years and went onto the National Police Forum.

“I was Chief Whip at county level and, in the city, I’ve chaired leisure, covering things like the closure Granby Halls because of the asbestos. In this term, there are a lot of big decisions with the budgets. One of the great achievements is that we’ve managed to retain frontline services.”

After the country was hit by riots in August, the response of the people of Leicester provided a source of great pride for the Lord Mayor.

“The amount of work we do embracing a multi-cultural city helps. A few months ago we had the EDL (English Defence League) demonstrations and we handled that. I think the citizens were absolutely fantastic and the message was that we won’t have that in Leicester, we’re above that.

“The way the police dealt with the recent riots in Leicester was amazing, we handled it correctly. We had an operation that involved the youths being taken home and in some cases their parents were absolutely shocked. I started off being extremely disappointed but finished up quite proud of how we dealt with it and the clean-up operation.”

A huge sports fan and a keen horse rider, Wann believes that sport has a major role to play in society, outlined by his work on the Football Investment Project and the Sports Partnership Trust.

“I watch the Tigers, the cricket team and Leicester City and sport is one of the major things in Leicester and it brings people together. I was extremely lucky to have been able to go through the Football Foundation for £11m of investment to help provide the new football facilities. We also started a Sports Partnership Trust, which includes Leicester City, Tigers and representatives from the other clubs, and that’s working very well. We’ve now got a direct link to the clubs and they can play a huge role in promoting health and wellbeing.”

Rob Wann is a man clearly passionate about his city, whose pride in being Lord Mayor is as conspicuous as his smile, but what does Leicester mean to him?

“Home. It always amazes me what a friendly and great city this is. The people are brilliant, whether I’m at the working men’s club in Braunstone or a temple in the city, there’s just that sense of home. I’m extremely proud of Leicester and I don’t see me ever leaving.”

The Lord Mayor: A Day in the Life…
8.30am – Picked up after getting home from last night’s engagement at 1.15am
9am – At John Lewis with the kids from Chernobyl
11am – Media interview and paperwork
12pm – Correspondence meeting
1pm – Visit to local care home for the elderly
3pm – Meeting with the Police Commander for the City Evening – Event at the Indian High Commission in Birmingham until 11pm

The Lord Mayor has chosen The Royal Anglian Regiment Benevolent Charity for his 2011/12 Appeal. Councillor Wann explained the thinking behind the decision and encouraged local businesses to back the cause.

“I am delighted, with the support of Helen Gray, to have launched my Charity Appeal, which I am dedicating to the Royal Anglian Regiment Benevolent Charity.

“The Royal Anglian Regiment, our County Infantry Regiment, have a proud history and have The Royal Leicestershire Regiment, ‘The Tigers’, as their forebears.” The appeal will help support Leicester and Leicestershire soldiers from the Regiment who are injured in the line of duty, many with long term disabilities and those who fall on hard times when they leave the Service, and the Lord Mayor is keen to raise awareness and generate support.

“I would make a particular plea to businesses to support this appeal to ensure that the sacrifice of so many of our brave young soldiers from this county are making now, will never be forgotten. I thank you for any support you can provide.”

Donations can be sent to: Lord Mayor’s Royal Anglian Regiment Benevolent Charity Appeal The Royal Anglian Regiment TA Centre, Ulverscroft Road Leicester, LE4 6BY

You can also donate on line at www.justgiving.com/lordmayorsappealranglian

If you require any further information or wish to invite the Lord Mayor to attend an event please contact the Civic Support Office, 2nd Floor, Town Hall, Leicester, LE1 9BG, call 0116 2232000 or email lord.mayor@leicester.gov.uk