Janet Jackson to retire from Cheshire East

Above: Janet Jackson MBE, after receiving her award from Prince William, pictured with husband David

Ex-mayor of Macclesfield, Janet Jackson, Labour member for Macclesfield central – who’s spent decades serving her ‘beloved’ Macclesfield – will not be seeking re-election to Cheshire East Council in May.

Inspired to get into politics after attending a poll tax march, she was first elected to Macclesfield Borough Council in 1991, served as Mayor of Macclesfield in 2014 and has sat on numerous council and charity committees.

She told fellow councillors: “It’s said life begins at forty and with my election to Macclesfield Borough Council in 1991 my political life began. I then continued to serve on Cheshire East Council. Today is my final full council meeting, a sad occasion for me, signalling the end to a major part of my life. I would like to thank all those councillors and officers who I’ve worked with over the years . . . I will remember the many friendships made during my years of service. I still hope to continue serving the community of Macclesfield.”

Janet will continue to be involved in local politics, as a member of Macclesfield Town Council, representing Central Ward.

Mum-of-two Janet, married to husband David, is a grandmother, chair of the Friends of Macclesfield Silk Heritage and is a patron of the Silk Museum.

Her dedication to a number of local groups and charities saw her awarded the MBE and last month – when she  travelled to Buckingham Palace to receive it from Prince William.

Sam Corcoran, leader Cheshire East Council’s Labour group, said: “Janet Jackson has given over 20 years of service to the community. Janet is a Labour councillor but I am sure that many councillors from all parties would feel that Janet is someone that they could work with. For me a key question for anyone is ‘are you for yourself or are you for others?’ The answer in Janet’s case is clear. I would like to thank Janet and wish her  well with her ongoing service to her beloved Macclesfield.”