Former Lord Mayor of Liverpool Mary Rasmussen is to take an extended leave of absence due to ill health. Members of the city council will be asked to approve an additional six months absence for Cllr Rasmussen.
Background and roles
Cllr Rasmussen, who represents Speke, has been able to attend meetings at the Town Hall since March owing to her health. During her time as a Labour councillor, she has held the position of group chief whip – the first woman to do so – and chair.
Her colleagues will now be asked to wave through a little used rule to allow the two-time Lord Mayor more time away without losing her seat. Councillors who fail to attend a meeting within a six month period can be removed from office.
Council approval process
When the authority meets next week at Liverpool Town Hall, they will be asked to approve an additional six month period of leave for Cllr Rasmussen from July 29. Under the Local Government Act, city representatives must attend a meeting at least once every half a year or be removed from the authority.
This is unless the absence has been approved. Once a councillor loses office through failure to attend for the six-month period, the disqualification cannot be overcome by the councillor subsequently resuming attendance, nor can retrospective approval of the council be sought for an extension.
Tenure and history
Cllr Rasmussen, who was elected to the Speke ward in 2023’s all out elections, has served on Liverpool Council since 2007, previously representing the Speke-Garston ward. She is one of only two women to have served as Lord Mayor twice, owing to the covid-19 pandemic.
This meant during her first time, she was sworn in at Liverpool Tennis Centre, rather than the Town Hall as is tradition. The venue was used for the council’s annual general meeting as the Town Hall did not offer the requisite social distancing at the time.
Personal background
Cllr Rasmussen grew up in Garston and was the third of 10 children. Her parents Thomas and Theresa were originally from County Mayo, Ireland, and they made Liverpool their home after first trying Glasgow and London. They described their decision to stay in Liverpool as the best decision they ever made. Cllr Rasmussen was educated at St Francis of Assisi Primary School and then attended Blessed John Almond School.
