New Liverpool City Region Deputy Mayor appointed as Cabinet changes announced

• Knowsley Council leader becomes Deputy Mayor
• New Halton Council leader appointed to Energy and Environment portfolio
• Wirral Council leader moved to Economic Growth and Regeneration 

Knowsley Council Leader Graham Morgan has been appointed Deputy Mayor of the Liverpool City Region

Cllr Graham Morgan.

He replaces former Deputy Mayor Mike Wharton, who stepped down as Leader of Halton Borough Council earlier this month along with Deputy Leader, Cllr Dave Thompson.  

Cllr Morgan will continue to hold the City Region’s Housing portfolio with a new focus on Strategic Planning. 

Mayor Steve Rotheram announced the appointment at today’s Combined Authority meeting – as part of changes to the Cabinet. 

The new Leader of Halton Borough Council, Cllr Angela Ball – the first woman to be appointed to the role – joins the Cabinet and will take on the Energy and Environment portfolio.  

Cllr Angela Ball

Wirral Council leader Paula Basnett takes on responsibility for Economic Growth and Regeneration – the portfolio previously held by Cllr Wharton. The position now includes a seat on the LCR Destination Partnership Board and the LCR Innovation Zone Programme Management Board. 

Cllr Paula Basnett

The Combined Authority approved the Cabinet changes at today’s meeting, including the appointment of Halton’s new Deputy Leader, Cllr Eddie Dourley, as substitute for Cllr Ball. 

Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said: 

“Graham has been a brilliant partner since the Combined Authority was created, and I’m delighted to appoint him as Deputy Mayor. He’s a passionate champion for Knowsley, for housing and for our wider city region, and I know he’ll bring the same energy and commitment to this role.

“I’m also pleased to welcome Angela Ball to the Cabinet following her appointment as Halton’s first female council leader. Alongside Paula Basnett’s new role, these changes mean that, for the first time, our Cabinet is gender balanced. That’s an important step forward and one that better reflects the communities we serve across the Liverpool City Region.

“One of the biggest strengths of the Liverpool City Region is that our six boroughs work together. By bringing together different perspectives, experiences and ideas, we can keep delivering the opportunities, investment and improvements that make a real difference to people’s lives.”

Cllr Graham Morgan, Deputy Mayor of the Liverpool City Region and Leader of Knowsley Council, said:

“I’m delighted to be appointed as the Deputy Mayor of the Liverpool City Region. I’ve been part of the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority since its inception in 2014 and have had responsibility for the Housing portfolio throughout my time. I’m really proud of our achievements over the years across the whole City Region and look forward to driving forward and delivering our priorities over the coming years for the benefit of everyone who lives, works, visits or invests in the Liverpool City Region.“

Under its constitution, agreed with government before the election of its first mayor, the Combined Authority is made up of the elected leaders of its six constituent local authorities: Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton, St Helens and Wirral and chaired by the directly elected mayor of the region. 

Cllr Ball became the first woman to lead Halton Borough Council when she was elected at a meeting on Wednesday 8 July. She first joined the council in 2021 and represents the Birchfield ward, serving on the Council’s Executive Board with responsibility for Adult Social Care since May 2024. 

Before her retirement, Cllr Ball worked in clinical research for nearly 20 years. She lives in Widnes and is married with two sons. 

Cllr Dourley was first elected to Halton Council in October 2018 and represents the Ditton, Hale Village and Halebank ward. He was appointed to the Council’s Executive Board in May 2026, with responsibility for Corporate Services.