Dewsbury councillor’s deputy mayor nomination

Coun Paul Kane will be deputy and Coun Ken Smith, the current deputy, will take over a mayor from June.

Coun Smith grew up in Staffordshire and settled in West Yorkshire in 1980.

He has served twice as a Labour councillor for Ashbrow, from 1984 to 1992 and from 1999 until present.

A former deputy leader of the council, he also served as a member of the West Yorkshire Police Authority until its abolition in 2012.

Coun Smith, a father-of-one, lost his wife Anne to cancer in 2006.

His mayoress will be Coun Christine Smith (Con, Kirkburton).

Coun Kane, 56, was born in Dewsbury and is the youngest of 11 children.

A father-of-two, he has served as a Labour councillor for Dewsbury East for 19 years.

He started his career as a plumber with Dewsbury Council’s public works department and has worked as a technical contracts manager for a housing association for the past 21 years.

Speaking about his nomination, Coun Kane said: “I am proud of my upbringing and believe that through hard work and commitment most people can achieve such recognition.

“I humbly thank my group for this honour they have bestowed upon me. I also think this it is an honour for my own town of Dewsbury.”

Coun Kane has chaired the Heavy Woollen Planning Sub Committee for nine years and Dewsbury Regeneration Board for five years.

He also chaired the National Association of Councillors for the whole of England for four years.

His deputy mayoress will be Susan Bedford, his partner of nine years.

The current Mayor of Kirklees is Coun Martyn Bolt (Con, Mirfield).