Islington Mayor Marian Spall in her robes of office

MARIAN Spall was sworn in as the new Mayor of Islington last night (Thursday) in a buoyant ceremony marking the council’s return after the local elections.

Cllr Spall, who has served as a Hillrise representative since 2010, donned her new red robes and gold chain to take the oath of office at Islington’s annual mayor-making ceremony.

She takes over from Cllr Troy Gallagher, Islington’s first Irish-born mayor.

In her first speech, Cllr Spall thanked her two daughters, Emma and Helen, for their support, along with her fellow ward councillors Dave Poyser and Michelline Safi Ngongo.

Cllr Gary Heather is sworn in as deputy mayor

“Team Hillrise would not be the same without out you,” she said.

Cllr Spall added she was “immensely honoured” to be elected mayor of the borough she has “loved living in… my entire life”.

The new mayor has chosen to support Ronald McDonald House Charity, which provides free “home away from home” accommodation for families with a critically ill child, along with the Whittington Health Trust, who Cllr Spall said “go above and beyond”.

Council leader Cllr Comer-Schwartz with finance chief Cllr Diarmaid Ward

The new mayor was celebrated as “so popular” by her fellow Hillrise rep Cllr Poyser. “Walk around the Elthorne estate and people want to stop and talk to her,” he said.

“Marion has been so popular in Hillrise for so long.”

Cllr Safi Ngongo, Islington’s children and families tsar, said: “Marianne is not just a ward colleague, she’s a friend, she’s our guide.”

Outgoing mayor Cllr Troy Gallagher

Cllr Spall has volunteered for her community for more than 30 years, both as a youth worker and on neighbourhood forums, at one point presented with the Mayor’s Civic Award for her work.

In her spare time, she has studied for a diploma in mindfulness.

Cllr Spall’s daughter Helen will be Mayor’s Consort for the coming year.

Also last night (Thursday), Finsbury Park councillor Gary Heather stepped up to become Deputy Mayor of Islington, and Cllr Tricia Clarke will be Deputy Mayor’s Consort.

Hillrise ward’s Cllr Dave Poyser with Junction ward’s Cllr Sheila Chapman

In the same ceremony, Cllr Comer-Schwartz was sworn in for the second time as the leader of Islington Council, with the new finance chief Cllr Diarmaid Ward paying tribute to her as having “the values, guts and vision to stand up for our borough”.

Meanwhile, St Peter’s and Canalside council­lor Rosaline Ogunro used her maiden speech to celebrate Cllr Comer-Schwartz as the first black woman to become council leader.

“The hard work starts now,” Cllr Comer-Schwartz said.