The Office of Mayor

Role of Town Mayor

The ancient office of Mayor dates back to the days when Mayors had much wider authority than they do today. The position is now a Civic role with the exception of chairing Council meetings.

The importance of the position however continues to be widely recognised and remains the highest office that the citizens of the town, through their elected representatives, can confer.

The role of Town Mayor is distinct from that of Councillor and the Mayor carries out the role in a non political manner. Each Mayor will adopt their own personal approach, establishing their priorities and interests.

The Town Mayor, or in his or her absence the Deputy Mayor, has the following roles or functions:

To uphold and promote the purposes of the Council’s constitution
To preside over Council meetings so that business can be carried out efficiently and with regards to the rights of Councillors and the interests of the community
To ensure the Council meeting is a forum for the debate of matters of concern to the local community
To promote public involvement in the Council’s activities
To attend civic and ceremonial functions as the Council and Mayor determine is appropriate
To act as ex officio members of all Committees, Sub-Committees and Working Groups

The Annual Meeting

The Town Mayor is elected by full Council at the Annual Meeting held in May, and serves for one year.

The Annual Meeting takes place in the Council Chamber at 15 Station Road, Stone, and the ceremony follows a set format with the Mayor’s appointment being the first item of business on the agenda.

During the appointment, the new Town Mayor will receive the Chain of Office from the Retiring Town Mayor and sign a declaration of Acceptance of Office. The new Mayor will announce the name of the person who will act as Consort and bestow on them their badge of Office.

The Town Mayor will announce the name of the person who will act as Town Mayor’s Chaplain and will address the Council.

The Deputy Town Mayor is also appointed at the Annual Meeting. The Town Mayor will bestow upon them the Deputy Town Mayor’s Medallion.

The newly elected Deputy Town Mayor will sign the declaration of office, address the Council and announce the name of the person who will act as the Deputy Town Mayor’s Consort.

The Deputy Mayor will invite their Consort to receive the Deputy Town Mayor’s Consorts’ Medallion.

The Town Council’s appreciation of the services of the retiring Mayoral Team are recorded and the retiring Town Mayor will be invited to receive a Past Town Mayor’s Badge from the new Town Mayor and the retiring Deputy Town Mayor will be invited to receive a Past Deputy Town Mayor’s Badge from the retiring Town Mayor.

Civic Regalia

The Mayoral Chain is a valuable historic item. It is usually worn by the Mayor for civic engagements within the town of Stone.

The George V yellow gold ceremonial badge medallion is known as the ‘Mayoral Badge of Office – Urban District Council of Stone’.

The central shield section incorporates an enamelled Arms of Stone depicting an inverted white chevron enclosing two black lozenges symbolising the North and South Staffordshire Coalfields divided by a black and white Stafford Knot.

The left hand upper black section depicting a wheat sheaf symbolising the importance of agriculture to the town, the right hand upper black section depicting a beer barrel representing the brewing industry; the lower black section depicting a crossed bradawl and awl signifying the local craft of shoemaking.

The shield surmounted by an applied white enamelled crest of a winged horse rising from a
crest coronet and grasping a black lozenge in its front hooves and is apparently taken from the Arms of Earl St Vincent, one of Stone’s famous personalities; the central shield above an applied black and white enamelled banner proclaiming the Latin motto ‘SIT SAXUM F1RMUM’
(translating to ‘Let the stone be firm).

For engagements outside of Stone, the badge and ribbon must be worn, unless prior permission has been granted by the Borough or District Council within which the event will take place.

Civic and Fundraising Events

Civic Events
The Town Mayor will generally host the following Civic events through the year:
- Civic Dinner – usually held on the last Saturday in April
- Civic Sunday – usually held on the second Sunday in July
- Civic Carols Service – Usually held on the second Sunday in December
The Town Mayor takes part in the Remembrance, Armistice and other commemorations, laying a wreath on behalf of the Town Council.
The Town Mayor may also hold additional events, often hosting a Trafalgar Dinner in October.
Fundraising Events

The Town Mayor will actively support worthy charities and community groups operating in Stone and surrounding areas who serve the local community and greatly improving the lives of residents in the town.
The Town Mayor fundraises through the year by hosting events and gratefully accepts kind donations. The proceeds from the fundraising efforts (which includes an annual Street Collection held usually in April) are distributed to their chosen charities at the end of the Mayoral term.

Invite the Mayor to an Event

How to invite the Mayor to an Event

During the Mayoral year the Town Mayor will attend many events, helping to promote the town and raise the profile of local groups, charities, voluntary organisations and local businesses.
If you would like to invite the Town Mayor to an event please email clerk@stonetowncouncil.gov.uk to enquire about their availability and request a Mayoral Engagement Form.
If the Mayor is unable to attend, invitations are automatically extended to the Deputy Mayor unless you specify otherwise.
The Town Council does not provide a Civic Car for transporting the Mayor/Deputy Mayor to and from Civic engagements.
Local Order of Precedence
Arrival

The Mayor would normally arrive at least five to ten minutes before the start of a function, unless requested otherwise on the information form.
The Mayor should be met by a person delegated to greet the Mayor and Consort (if attending) upon their arrival and the Mayor should be accompanied – not necessarily by the same person – for the whole event.
Seating - Events in Stone
Seating - Church Services in Stone

At church services, arrangements should be made for the Mayor to be met at the entrance to the church and to be escorted to the front pew on the right hand side of the centre aisle. The only exception to this practice would be at a funeral service, or other private service when the Mayor would give up his, or her place to the family mourners and take the front pew on the left.
Toast and Speeches

If you would like the Mayor to propose or respond to a toast or make a speech, please submit the details with the mayoral engagement form. Details should be included about whether the event is formal/informal, the point at which they should speak, speech length, to whom they should refer and any other relevant information.

Addressing the Town Mayor

Introducing and addressing the Mayor

• When announcing the Mayor, please introduce him or her as the ‘Stone Town Mayor’, Councillor first name and last name.
• If the Mayor is accompanied by an official Consort just add ‘Mr or Mrs—’
• In the case of a male Mayor who is accompanied by his Mayoress, just add ‘and The Mayoress, Mrs—’
• The Deputy Mayor should be addressed as ‘The Deputy Town Mayor of Stone, Councillor—’
• Thereafter the Mayor should be addressed as ‘Madam Mayor’ or ‘Mr Mayor’ and the Mayoress (where applicable) as Madam Mayoress.
• The Deputy Mayor should be addressed as ‘Madam, or Mr, Deputy Mayor’. The Mayor or Deputy Mayor’s Consort should be referred to simply by their name.
Whether you are writing or emailing the Mayor, the correct form of address is as follows:
Title of Post: Town Mayor of Stone or Stone Town Mayor
The Address (when talking): ‘Mr Town Mayor’ or ‘Madam Town Mayor’
The Address (when writing) ‘Dear Town Mayor’ or ‘Dear Madam Town Mayor’

Contact the Mayor

Please email your enquiry to clerk@s tonetowncouncil.gov.uk