The Mayor

The Mayor of Ribble Valley for 2025/26 is Simon O'Rourke.

Born and brought up in Clitheroe, Simon attended Ribblesdale High School and Blackburn College, then worked at a Lancashire haulier AJA Smith Transport as a vehicle finisher.

But a life-changing road traffic accident in 2003 left him a full-time wheelchair-user, after which he channelled his experience into founding a charity that loaned mobility equipment to other people with disabilities.

He was elected to Clitheroe Town Council as representative for Salthill in 2011 and in 2018 underwent a lower limb amputation, which enabled him to walk using a prosthetic and significantly improved his quality of life.

By now his passion for public life was unstoppable and after receiving a Clitheroe Town Award for community service he was elected to Ribble Valley Borough Council as representative for Edisford and Low Moor in 2019.

He said: “I was just an ordinary lad, but the accident left me a full-time wheelchair user, which was a real shock, particularly that I had two young children.

“But I decided to channel my energy into helping others by founding a charity that loaned mobility equipment to other people with disabilities.

“It was a big success and we were the first charity to loan all-terrain mobility vehicles, called trampers, to enable people with restricted mobility to visit our beautiful countryside.

“Little did I know that one day an ordinary lad like me would become mayor, which is an incredible honour, and I am particularly proud that my wife, Donna, who has always been by my side, is my mayoress.”

As well as being a borough councillor, Simon is a trustee of several local charities, including Ribble Valley Crossroads Care, the Little Green Bus and Roefield Leisure.

He and Donna, who is also a borough councillor, representing the Salthill ward of Clitheroe, have two adult children and one grandchild.

His chosen charities are the Foundation for Ribble Valley Families and the East Lancashire Hospice.

The Mayor's Duties

One of the mayor's main duties is to chair the meetings of the full council. The mayor also attends lots of functions in the borough and across Lancashire, including church services, annual dinners, official openings of offices or new buildings, theatre productions, carol concerts, school prize-giving ceremonies, coffee mornings, garden parties, 100th birthday visits, band concerts and photocalls.

Other Mayors

The Deputy Mayor of Ribble Valley is Councillor Kevin Horkin.