Mayor's office

The mayoral process

Election

Candidates for the post of mayor must be a member of the council as set out in Section 3(1) of the Local Government Act 1972.

Candidates for the post of deputy mayor must also be a member of the council and in accordance with the Local Government Act 1972, Schedule 5(1) and 5(2), the council must appoint from amongst its members a deputy mayor.

In the London Borough of Ealing the mayor is normally chosen from amongst members of the leading political party. However, this is not always the case, indeed Mayor Potts 2004/05 was a member of the opposition party.

Mayor making

The election of mayor is the first item of business at the Annual Council Meeting normally held in May each year. This is known as mayor-making.

The mayor's duties and responsibilities

One of the mayor's main duties is to chair council meetings, in his/her absence the deputy mayor must preside over the council meeting. The person presiding may have a second or casting vote in the event of an equality of votes, even if he/she did not vote in the first instance.

The mayor is also responsible for undertaking all civic ceremonial duties within the borough. This includes attendance at civic services, Remembrance Day Service, granting of Freedom of the Borough, greeting members of the royal family when visiting the borough and so on.

During his/her year the mayor will may also raise funds for their nominated chosen charity. The nominated charity is traditionally announced in the mayor's inaugural speech at the annual mayor-making ceremony.

The majority of the mayor's time is spent supporting local organisations and businesses by launching, attending and hosting functions.