Mayor Joanne Anderson reflects on 100 days in office and sets out vision for city

Liverpool city mayor Joanne Anderson has vowed to build a “better, safer, more inclusive” city as she reflects on her first 100 days in the job.

Mayor Anderson made history in May 2021 when she became the UK’s first directly elected black female mayor.

In a blog for Liverpool City Council about her first 100 days in office she revealed that despite her pride at being elected she’d previously had “little or no time to reflect on the role” due to her busy schedule.

She wrote: “I want to help build a better, safer, more inclusive Liverpool, where people can thrive, with equal access of opportunity and are treated with dignity and respect.”

Plan of action

Liverpool City Council announced an initiative this week to protect women across the city from sexual violence at night.

The campaign is in partnership with Merseyside Police, Liverpool universities and RASA Merseyside, a professional counselling and support service for people impacted by sexual violence.

Mayor Anderson continued: “I am also determined to make sure that there is more action on hate crime and I have already had discussions with the Chief Constable, Serena Kennedy, about tackling intolerance of all kind.”

She praised her new cabinet of councillors for handling significant challenges including the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and responding to the loss of UNESCO World Heritage status.

Leading figure beyond Liverpool

Mayor Anderson was named as one of the UK’s most influential women in Vogue 25, a list celebrating women making a difference in society.

The high-profile list includes designer Vivienne Westwood, Scotland’s first minister Nicola Sturgeon and the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle.

Finishing her blog Mayor Anderson wrote: “I am under no illusion about the scale of the task ahead, but am relishing the challenge of putting social value for communities at the heart of everything we do and making our city one that is truly world class.”

The council is asking for feedback from Liverpool residents, business and organisations asking what they love about the city, what they would love to see in the city and what would make the city stronger and fairer.

Click here to take part.