THE RIGHT WORSHIPFUL THE MAYOR OF DURHAM

Welcome to the Internet Site for the Mayor of the City of Durham, England

In the Municipal Year 2006/2007 - we will have the 404th Mayor of the City of Durham

HOMEPAGE
BIOGRAPHY FOR THE MAYOR
THE ROLE OF THE MAYOR
MAYOR'S APPEAL
WEEKLY DIARY
LIST OF FORMER MAYORS
CIVIC INSIGNIA
TOWN HALL (in brief)
CIVIC OCCASIONS (ADVANCE NOTIFICATION)
THE MAYOR'S BODYGUARD
PROTOCOL
STAFF
OTHER CIVIC OFFICES HELD WITHIN THE CITY OF DURHAM

THE ROLE OF THE MAYOR

In Durham, the Mayor and Deputy Mayor are elected by utilising the 'Pendle System' and the positions are installed at Annual Council in May each year. The Deputy Mayor usually succeeds the Mayor the following year.

After being robed and invested with the Chain of Office, he or she is handed the Mayoral Seal by the Chief Executive, who then asks the Councillor elected to take the Oath of Acceptance of Office. Following that, the election of the Mayor is complete and the Council then proceeds to appoint a Deputy Mayor.

During the year of office, the Mayor is the First Citizen of Durham, substituted by the Deputy Mayor when appropriate. The position is non-political and the ceremonial head of the City, and intended to benefit both the City and its citizens. The Mayor may be a major influence in promoting the image and importance of Durham at a local, regional, national and international level. The Mayor should endeavour to focus on promoting the Council's vision and objectives. In turn, the people of Durham continue to have the highest regard for their Mayor and they will expect the Mayor to carry out a full range of duties on their behalf throughout the area.

To following points summarise the Mayor's Role:-

  • To maintain the historical and ceremonial traditions of the Office of Mayor
  • To promote the District as a place to live and visit
  • To promote the District locally, nationally and internationally
  • To promote, liaise and link with private and voluntary sector organisations
  • To participate in and help initiate activities that enhance the economic social cultural and environmental well-being of the District and its residents
  • To act as host to official visitors to the District
  • To attend civic and ceremonial functions and local community activities as the Council and he/she determines appropriate
  • To represent the Council at ceremonial events
  • To act as the Council's representative on other occasions as determined by the Council
  • To support and raise funds for his/her chosen charity for the mayoral year
  • To carry out all duties in a manner appropriate to the status and tradition of the Office
  • The Mayor is one of two signatories to all Council documents executed under Seal.

In addition to the ceremonial role, the Mayor has the following responsibilities:-

  • Uphold and promote the purposes of the City Council's Constitution;
  • Preside over meetings of the Council and ensure meetings follow the procedures set out in the Constitution;
  • To be the conscience of the Council.

General Requirements of the Mayor of the City Of Durham

Skills and Abilities

The main specific requirements of the job are:-

  • to have the confidence of the Council
  • to be confident in making speeches
  • ability to network/socialise with others at all levels
  • to show interest in a wide variety of people and issues
  • to understand you will be 'on show' the majority of the time.

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Political Neutrality

Every Mayor must be a councillor, and by definition, a politician, with responsibilities to the electors of his or her ward and ties, in most instances, to a political group on the Council.

The convention has been that, during the Mayoral Year, the Mayor reduces his or her political profile. Mayors generally go out of their way to display their even-handedness in political matters during the year. It would be inappropriate for an individual to be associated with a contentious issue or election process which confuses roles.

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Patronages/Trusts

As you would expect, the First Citizen must be seen to take a lead in all matters that concern the life of the city. The role of Mayor is therefore associated with many societies, charities and organisations either as their Vice-President, a Trustee or Patron.

The Mayor Durham is associated with:-

Alington House Community Association
Friends of Durham Cathedral
St. Giles'/Belmont Education Trust
Henry Smith's Charity
Student Community Action - Durham University
Durham Choral Society
St. John's Ambulance - Durham County
Durham Regatta Committee
Friend of Durham Light Infantry Museum

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Guild Meetings

The Mayor and Head of Legal and Strategic Services attend four meetings of the Guilds during a year. The Deputy Mayor may deputise in the absence of the Mayor.

Meetings are usually held at 11.00 a.m. in the Guildhall. The Mayor is required to robe for the meeting.

Basically, we on behalf of the Guilds, swear in new members. They are officially Freemen after three calls.