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Mayor Steve Rotheram today paid tribute to a ‘great friend and brilliant ambassador’ after Liverpool City Region Deputy Mayor Mike Wharton stepped down.
Cllr Wharton will also step down as Combined Authority Cabinet Member for Economic Growth and Regeneration and as Leader of Halton Borough Council, after five years at the helm.
First elected to represent Hale Village in 2002, he was appointed City Region Deputy Mayor in 2024 and has played a key role in attracting investment and promoting the city region internationally.
Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram said:
“Mike has been a great friend and colleague over the years, and someone who’s been a brilliant ambassador for the Liverpool City Region. He’s not only been a big part of everything we’ve delivered here, he’s worked tirelessly, day-in-day-out to deliver for the people of Halton.
“As Deputy Mayor, he’s played a hugely important role in helping us drive progress on major projects and schemes in our region, and he’s always done so with commitment, determination and good humour.
“I’m going to miss working alongside him. I want to thank him for everything he’s done and wish him and his family all the very best for the future.”
Cllr Wharton grew up in Bootle and worked as an accountant at Littlewoods for 30 years, moving to Halton to raise a family.
On becoming Leader of Halton Borough Council in 2021, he joined the Combined Authority Cabinet where he held a series of economic portfolios and promoted City Region’s trade and investment opportunities on the international stage. He also put his accountancy experience to good use as a key member of the Audit and Governance Committee.
Cllr Wharton described leading Halton as ‘the privilege of my lifetime’ and spoke of rising from a working-class background in Bootle to representing the City Region internationally.
“I never imagined being the deputy mayor of the whole city region – a working-class lad from Bootle. I was lucky – I passed the 11 plus and went to Bootle Grammar School – but I never envisaged somebody from my background would ever reach that height.
“It has been an honour and Mayor Rotheram has been absolutely phenomenal. I hold him in really high esteem. The Combined Authority has been brilliant to work with and I’m grateful to all the colleagues who have given me such wonderful support over the years.”
Reflecting on his time as Deputy Mayor, he highlighted major transport improvements as a key achievement, alongside a trade mission to China where he represented the City Region as part of a UK delegation organised by the Department for Business and Trade to make the case for increased investment.
“I’ve always enjoyed meeting people from other countries coming into the CA, looking to explore business opportunities and investments, but I was really lucky to go to China with that government initiative.
“I never thought I’d ever go to China and represent the City Region and speak in front of about 200 Chinese people. That pushed and tested me and was something I never thought I could do, quite frankly.
“I think the developments we’ve made with transport, including the bus franchising, has really been tremendous. So many people rely on buses, and I know that this will improve service over the next so many years – it’s going to be so much better for everybody.”
Halton Borough Council Deputy Leader Dave Thompson today announced he would also step down. Both Cllr Wharton and Cllr Thompson will continue as ward councillors.
