Issue - meetings

To consider the recommendations of the Civic Sub-Committee on the approach to be used for the election of the Mayor and appointment of the Deputy Mayor, and on the adoption of a Mayoral Code of Practice.

The Committee considered the recommendations of the Civic Sub-Committee in relation to the election of the Mayor and appointment of the Deputy Mayor.

Members had before them the report considered by the Civic Sub-Committee on 9^th February 2010, which detailed a number of alternative approaches to the selection process and gave examples of practice among other North-Western and the former Cheshire Districts.

In the case of many local authorities, the current year’s Deputy Mayor automatically became the Mayor for the following year. This was often regarded as an ideal way in which the incoming Deputy Mayor could gain experience of the office of Mayor prior to election.

Members concurred with the view of the Sub-Committee that seniority was not the best approach but that any candidate for the post should have a minimum of one full term’s experience as a councillor. They also agreed on the need for all political groups to have an opportunity to be involved in the selection process.

Members also considered a draft Mayoral Code of Practice which could be adopted by the Council. This had been updated to take on board the comments of the Sub-Committee. Further amendments to the Code were agreed by the Committee.

RESOLVED

That Council be recommended to agree that

(1)   each year, the Deputy Mayor will normally succeed to the Mayoralty in the following year;

(2)   each year, the Deputy Mayor will be chosen by full Council at the recommendation of the political group which has the majority of Council Members, provided that in making such choice, another political group or groups may be invited to put forward a nomination for consideration by the majority group;

(3)   this approach be adopted in respect of the election of Mayor and appointment of Deputy Mayor for the 2010/2011 Civic Year and beyond; and

(4)   the draft Mayoralty Code of (Mayor and Deputy Mayor) Practice, as amended, be adopted by the Council and incorporated into the Council’s Constitution with such consequential amendments as the Borough Solicitor considers necessary to give effect to the wishes of Council.