Being Santa is really emotional - council leader

Cllr Garry Perry said he liked to give back to the community

Leading a council and being Santa may not naturally come hand in hand - especially at times of civic belt-tightening – but the leader of Walsall Council is managing to do both.

Councillor Garry Perry, who also works full time for the NHS, has been meeting children and adults across the borough spreading festive cheer.

Perry, who was born and bred in Walsall, first donned the red robes and beard in 2011 when he was the mayor.

He then took over as leader of the Conservative-run council in June 2024 and since then he has appeared at schools, St Michael's Church in Pelsall and residents' groups.

"It's not virtue signalling, the key for me is giving back", he said.

One surprising part of the role was the emotions involved.

Perry said: "Some of the things that children and parents tell you when you're in that role are really emotional. Thank goodness I've got a beard on.

"You get children who want everything, children who don't know what they want and children who clearly just want to be loved and cared for.

Cllr Garry Perry leads Walsall Council

"It can evoke all sorts of emotions when you are behind the mask. I hold various roles in life but I want to be grounded in my community, for me there is no prouder act."

Perry also does video messages as Santa and has dressed as an elf.

He added: "Some parents also ask me to do videos where I will send a message about being good at Christmas.

"I've also done it as an elf in the past - I've done it all!"

Perry said he took over the authority at a "difficult" time. The council has outlined savings of £28.8m for 2025-26.