Mayor of Trafford

Councillor Dolores O'Sullivan

Municipal Year 2023-24

The mayor's consort during her mayoral year is Mrs. Joan Smith.

Councillor Dolores O’Sullivan joined Trafford Council in 2010, and since this time she has represented both Stretford and Flixton wards and has also served on several committees, including health scrutiny, planning, and employment. Dolores considers it an honour and privilege to serve the community of Trafford in the role of mayor.

Dolores was born in Co Kerry, Ireland, which is where she grew up and was educated. She came to England in her 20s to work for the family business, which was based in Manchester. Dolores’s professional background is in construction and CE, working with corporate organisations, local authorities, and government bodies that undertake all types of building and civil engineering work.

Living in Trafford for over 40 years, Dolores has made it her home. As a single parent, following divorce, she brought up two children, supporting them through college and university. She is now the proud grandparent of two grandchildren and a granddaughter.

Dolores has done much work with community groups in Trafford, supporting friends of parks, serving as vice chair for the Stretford Town Partnership, and being a co-opted member of tenant and resident associations.

As a Stretford Councillor, Dolores worked closely with the Council to secure funding for a lay-by outside the mall and was the founder and chair of Stretford Hive committees. She secured funding from the Mary Portas scheme to enable the opening of a rent-free unit in the mall for the local community to learn, relax, and enjoy. Dolores was also a member of the Trafford Locality Partnership.

Dolores has always been involved in charity and voluntary work. She has worked with Mind, supporting people with depression. Dolores has a Certificate in Counselling, and this enabled her to provide 24-hour counselling support for the National Charity ‘With Dignity’, work actively with churches, schools, local charities, and public relations officers for the ‘Rose of Tralee, raising money for various charities.

Dolores has been a school governor for over 20 years, at Urmston Junior School, St. Margaret Ward, and now Our Lady of the Rosary. She is also a church registrar at St. John Henry Newman Parish.

When she does get time to relax, Dolores enjoys spending time with her family and catching up with friends. She is qualified in holistic therapies including reflexology, Indian Head, and complementary therapy, and she is also a Reiki Master.