Meet the new Kirklees Civic Team for 2025-26
The new Kirklees Civic Team has been announced for 2025-26.
Councillor Elizabeth Smaje, who is currently the Deputy Mayor of Kirklees, will become the Mayor of Kirklees at a ceremony in May this year.
Cllr Smaje said:
“I’ve had a busy and enjoyable year as the Deputy Mayor of Kirklees, meeting some fantastic people, businesses and groups in our borough.
“In my year as the first citizen of Kirklees, I want to promote the incredible work that is being done in all our communities, and I am looking forward to meeting more groups and individuals who make a difference in their areas.”
Councillor Munir Ahmed will be joining the Civic Team as Deputy Mayor for 2025-26.
Cllr Ahmed said:
“It is a privilege to be joining the Civic Team for the upcoming year as Deputy Mayor of Kirklees. This is a great opportunity to find out more about what is happening across the borough and supporting the mayor during her term in office.”
Who are Councillor Elizabeth Smaje and Councillor Munir Ahmed?
Cllr Smaje was elected to the Birstall and Birkenshaw ward in 2004. As councillor she is joint chair of the Calderdale and Kirklees Joint Heath Scrutiny Committee and Chair of the West Yorkshire Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee.
Cllr Ahmed was elected to the Dalton Ward in May 2024 and was appointed cabinet member for Environment and Highways in July 2024. He is the lead spokesperson for Kirklees Council for West Yorkshire Joint Services and a member of the West Yorkshire climate Energy and Environment Committee. Cllr Ahmed is also a Non-Executive Board Director of Suez Recycling and Recovery UK and Kirklees Community Housing.
The new Civic Team for Kirklees will take office at the Mayor Making Ceremony on Wednesday 21 May.
The ceremony will be held at Huddersfield Town Hall at 12.30 pm, and everyone is welcome to come along to watch. Anyone attending should arrive at Huddersfield Town Hall via Princess Street and be seated by 12.20pm.