A Jewish councillor in North Manchester has been appointed the next Mayor of Bury, with her tenure starting in May.

Councillor Jane Black, who grew up in Prestwich and went to King David High School, lives in the area with her husband and two daughters, who are all members of the Manchester Reform Synagogue.

After spending 23 years working as a local government manager in Manchester, Salford and Rochdale, she took early retirement in 2011, before being encouraged to stand as a councillor. Prestwich has a significant Jewish community, while the nearby area of Whitefield, also in Bury, has a sizeable Jewish presence as well. 

Elected to Bury Council in 2012 to represent Prestwich, positions Cllr Black has held on the council include chair of Prestwich Township Forum, cabinet member for health and wellbeing and regulation and resources, and chair of the planning control committee.

Cllr Black said: “I am thrilled to have this opportunity to be a Jewish mayor for Bury, following in the footsteps of others who have served the borough in this way. Bury Council already has strong partnerships with the Jewish community, and I am very much looking forward to helping to strengthen these in the year ahead.”

She added:  “My Jewish upbringing has given me a strong sense of identity, family and community, and a commitment to building bridges between different groups and faiths that I hope to develop in this role.

I now look forward to representing the whole borough, and to learning so much more about all the fantastic people and groups that make our town such a great place to live.”