A FLINTSHIRE town has made history on Monday evening by appointing its first LGBTQ mayor.

Flint Town Council held their virtual inauguration last night, May 17, and members elected Cllr Mel Buckley to take the title of town mayor for 2021-22.

After accepting the title, Cllr Buckley said: “I can’t begin to tell you how very much this means to me. I love Flint and the people in it.

“I love the traditions and the history of the town and have done since childhood when I was fortunate to have many great role models to look up to.”

Cllr Buckley paid tribute to Cllr Ian Roberts – who was her ‘fantastic’ primary school teacher – thanking him for introducing her to the historic town hall off Market Place.

Sticking to childhood, she thanked Cllr Vicky Perfect who took local children on tours of the iconic Flint Castle – joking that the Castle ward councillor must know more about the local landmark than the people who built it back in 1277.

She said: “Our town is steeped in important history and traditions, and we must always celebrate that. In my mayoral year, I hope to invite school children both to the town hall and the Castle for them to also be inspired as I was.

“But we must also celebrate something else that is great about our town – and that is diversity and inclusiveness.”

Cllr Buckley will be accompanied by close friend Joe Stoneley as her mayoral consort during her time in office.

The new mayor said: “Myself and Joe are thrilled to be the first LGBTQ mayor and consort of Flint. It shows that, hand in hand with tradition, we are moving forward in the present day and beyond, proving that Flint town welcomes one and all.”

Cllr Norma Davies virtually handed the mayoral title over to Cllr Buckley after two years in office – an extension of the usual one-year term due to the coronavirus pandemic breaking out last spring.

“It has been a great honour to be part of the history of this wonderful town,” she said.

Reflecting on her time in office, Cllr Davies said she enjoyed the fun times being mayor representing the council at town events. However, she was particularly moved by the more poignant moments such as the Remembrance Sunday services that already hold such strong family connections to her.

Cllr Davies was praised by her fellow councillors for her extended time served as town mayor whilst also carrying out her key role in the community as a social worker with Flintshire Council.

This year sees a second term where the mayor and deputy mayor roles were both filled by women as Cllr Michelle Perfect was chosen to take on the deputy mayor role.

Cllr Perfect is credited with being the driving force with successful town events – including the summer Flint Festival as well as the Christmas events.

This evening also saw Cllr Paul Cunningham reappointed as leader of Flint Town Council. It was agreed that the deputy mayor, Cllr Perfect, would also continue to serve as deputy leader of the council.