The Mayor
The role of the Mayor of Kirklees is a ceremonial role which is appointed to every year at the council's Annual General Meeting.
The Mayor is the First Citizen of the Borough of Kirklees. This means they take precedence in the Borough over everyone except members of the Royal Family and the Lord Lieutenant or their representative.
The Mayor attends a variety of engagements throughout the year with many invitations coming from local groups, organisations, schools and businesses. Should the Mayor be unavailable, the Deputy Mayor may attend in their place.
Invite the Mayor to your event
If you would like to invite the Mayor to your event, simply complete our online form and we'll be in touch.
Clock Completing this form takes around 5 minutes.
Invite the MayorAfter you've submitted your request
- Once your form has been submitted your invitation will be shared with the Mayor and a response sent to you to confirm if the Mayor is able to accept.
- If they are unable to attend you may be notified that the Deputy Mayor will attend in their place if available.
- You will be asked to provide further details of your event including confirmation of timings, venue, parking arrangements etc.
About the Mayor and Deputy Mayor
Councillor Liz Smaje
Councillor Liz Smaje was first Elected to represent her home ward of Birstall and Birkenshaw in 2004.
Although she has held senior council positions as a member of Cabinet and Chair of Overview and Scrutiny, her main priority has always been her local community and supporting the organisations, small businesses and individuals within it.
She is a Governor of Birkenshaw Primary School, and an active member of numerous groups across Birstall, Birkenshaw and East Bierley.
Cllr Smaje is also a Trustee of Birstall Community Centre, leading the team that saved it from closure.
She was a member and a past national chairman of the former Institute of Qualified Private Secretaries and in her spare time has gained degrees in history, English literature and classical studies through the Open University.
The Mayor of Kirklees, Councillor Liz Smaje.
Councillor Munir Ahmed
Councillor Munir Ahmed was elected to the Dalton Ward in May 2024 and was appointed cabinet member for Environment and Highways in July 2024.
He is the lead spokesperson for Kirklees Council for West Yorkshire Joint Services and a member of the West Yorkshire climate Energy and Environment Committee. Cllr Ahmed is also a Non-Executive Board Director of SUEZ recycling and recovery Kirklees, and a member of the Kirklees Community Housing Association.
The Deputy Mayor of Kirklees, Councillor Munir Ahmed.
The Mayor and Deputy Mayor are paid an allowance to cover any personal costs incurred whilst undertaking their role.
Current allowances
2025 - 2026:
- Mayor: £19,428
- Deputy: £8,638
Each year the Mayor of Kirklees chooses a cause they wish to support, and during her year in office Cllr Smaje has chosen to highlight the problems experienced by adults and children with Autism and ADHD.
Contact the Mayor
- Address Civic Office, PO Box 1720, Huddersfield, HD1 9EL
- Phone 01484 221905
- Email civic.office@kirklees.gov.uk
- @KirkleesMayor
- Mayor of Kirklees
Former Mayors
You can view the former Mayors of Kirklees dating back from 1974 to present.