2026-2027 Town Mayor, Councillor Robert Cernik, and Deputy Mayor, Councillor Rachel Waterman.
Wishing you both every success in your roles and looking forward to supporting you as you serve our town and community.
Many thanks also to Councillor Julie MacDonald for all her hard work and dedication during her year as Town Mayor. Your service to the town is greatly appreciated.
If you wish the Mayor to attend any of your events then please contact him at Townmayor@northwichtowncouncil.gov.uk
Northwich Town Mayor Cllr Bob Cernik
I would like to thank Northwich Town Council for putting its trust in me to be the Mayor of Northwich for 2026/27. It is an honour and a privilege and I’m really looking forward to the coming year.
I would also like to thank Cllr Rachel Waterman for agreeing to be my deputy, I am really looking forward to working with her and I’m sure that she will do a fabulous job.
I would like to thank my wife Kate for supporting me as my consort and allowing me to recycle some of her speech from two years ago
It has been a pleasure being Julie’s deputy last year. I offered her my help and support early on, but it was absolutely clear that she didn’t need much of that, she’s been an outstanding mayor and will be a very hard act to follow.
Kate and I moved from Manchester to the Northwich area in 1989 with our daughter who was just due to start school. We had another daughter one year later. Both girls grew up attending local Schools and Sir John Deanes College, so we have been part of the Northwich community for a long time.
Northwich has had more than its fair share of challenges over the last ten years or so, the national decline high streets, widespread flooding, library partial collapse and the fire destroying our market. However, after a long hiatus it now seems that we are poised for some exciting redevelopment. We are looking forward to working with Cheshire West more closely on the development of weaver square (which is at an early stage of redevelopment), the refurbishment of the library, and the opening of the new indoor market in Baron’s quay and town center cleaning.
I’m looking forward to working with other organisations including local charities the Rotary and the Business Improvement District (BID). This is a really dynamic partnership and has already yielded significant improvements for local business.
Our staff have continued to maintain award winning parks and playgrounds. They, and our councilors, also support our residents young and old and support families who have lost loved ones. I would like to thank our amazing staff led by Chris Shaw and Cath Kirwen in providing those outstanding services. Also, to Liza for our excellent funeral services.
I would also like to thank our councilors, town and Cheshire West, who advocate for and help our town, organising litter picks, supporting events, campaigning for the environment, better health and local transport services. You do it with huge commitment and enthusiasm. Thank you.
Northwich is a friendly town that punches above its weight. It has thriving charity and third sector organisations that do so much for many people and reflects the spirit of our town. I look forward to helping and continuing the work started by my wife and others who all want Northwich to become a Dementia Friendly town.
When I was the children and families lead on Cheshire West, I had a particular interest in helping children with SEND and will be supporting the local Tiny Steps charity in their vital work this year.
I am looking forward to a year representing our town and hope to meet with as many people and organisations as I can.
Thank you once again
Cllr Dr Robert Cernik
(Bob)
The Mayors Award for Service to the Community
Please complete the link if you would like to nominate a member of the community for outstanding achievements.
This will be discussed at our Grants meetings and we will be in touch regarding the application:
https://forms.office.com/e/9fw9PJkP8S
Please read for more information: The Mayors Award
THE CHAIN OF OFFICE
The design of the chain is Victorian and crafted in 18ct gold. Each alternative link forms a special and distinctive feature incorporating the Garter, Motto and Crest of the Council, which bears the initial letter ‘N’ in rich translucent enamel.
Each intervening link bearing two shields, for the record of successive Chairmen.
On the central link is a faithful portrait of Her Majesty, Queen Victoria, carried out in enamel. It is set in a medallion and enwreathed with the emblematical laurel in enamel, and the royal mottoes and crown.
The shoulder links are designed to be especially commemorative and embody the royal supporters, monogram, and coronet; and the monogram V.R.I. on an enamelled medallion around which is Garter, bearing the words ‘Record Reign’ and the years ‘1837-1897 on a ribbon below.
The intermediate link is the next important and bears the arms, mottoes and crest of Sir J T Brunner, correctly emblazoned in Heraldic Colours, enwreathed.
The badge is of [EVID] or pendant form, and the centre is occupied by the complete arms, supporters and crest of Northwich.
A free scroll bears the words ‘Urban District Council of Northwich’. On the upper portion of the badge is a Tudor Rose in enamel. On the back is an inscription setting forth when and by whom the Chain was presented.
The entire chain, which was supplied by Mr G R Willis (Jeweller) or Northwich is of 18 carat gold, with the enamels of the finest quality and was first worn by G B Cliff Esq JP who was the Chairman of Northwich Urban District Council. It was presented as a Diamond Jubilee Gift to the town of Northwich by Sir J T Brunner, Bart., MP for the Northwich Division
This Chain is to be worn only by the Mayor or Chairman of Northwich Council. It was presented at a ceremony held at the Adelphi Hotel, Liverpool on the 30th June 1897 by Sir John Tomlinson Brunner.
The chain is insured on the Council’s insurance and one of the criteria of the safety of the chain is that it must be kept in a secure safe at all times, when not being used for a function, and that the Mayor should not travel to and from a function wearing the chain unless in the contracted taxi and is with an escort.