Liverpool leader to undergo heart operation
Mayor Joe Anderson, who has suffered from an irregular heart condition for the past five years, will undergo his second operation in less than 18 months during the Christmas period.
A spokesman for the Mayor's office said: "The Mayor's Christmas leave begins on 22 December and he will have a routine operation during the Christmas period. He will be working from home in the meantime and will be returning to the office in early January. As most people who work will be."
In November 2013, Anderson underwent a pre-planned procedure for a condition he has been receiving for since 2011. According to interviews with the Liverpool Echo, he was taken ill in Christmas 2010 and was diagnosed the following May with an irregular heartbeat.
Anderson has been Labour group leader since 2001 and became leader of the council in 2010. He was elected Mayor in May 2012. If Anderson ever needs to take leave he has two assistant mayors, Cllr Ann O'Byrne, Cllr Wendy Simon and a deputy, Cllr Roz Gladden.
This year has been typically mixed for the leader of a large city, with Anderson continuing to progress development of new schools and housing as part of his mayoral pledges, but facing strong opposition over the possible closure of libraries, currently on hold, and the sale of greenfield land near Sefton Park to Redrow.
