Mayor of Bridgend County Borough

The mayor has precedence throughout Bridgend County Borough. Only a lord lieutenant or member of the royal family has greater rank. In seating, the mayor’s place should be directly right of the person presiding, except when the mayor occupies the chair. When the deputy mayor acts for the mayor, they take the same precedence.

A nominated person should meet the Mayor at the entrance, and introduce them to the host. A chauffeur will accompany the Mayor, and stay on duty within easy call.

If the Mayor is to speak, it is normal for them to be the first speaker or associated with the first toast. You should seek the Mayor’s consent to speak well in advance. Give information/points about the speech on the event detail form, and if possible, provide background information on the event. All information about the event should be given to the Mayor’s office for approval with details of any activity involving the mayor.

The Mayor has a civic duty to represent and promote Bridgend County Borough. The Mayor is always keen to help support events and causes which raise Bridgend County Borough and its people’s profiles, both locally and beyond.

To invite the Mayor to an event please contact the Mayor’s office as soon as possible. The Mayor has a busy schedule and it isn’t always possible to attend events at short notice. Yet, we will always reply to note if your invitation has been accepted.

Initially check the mayor’s availability on 01656 643132 or 643130.

You should invite the mayor in writing. Begin your letter ‘Dear Mayor’, and end it ‘Yours sincerely’. The invitation needs to include the event’s:

• date
• place
• special requirements, if any such as speech making, presentations etc.
• time
• as well as the type of event

On accepting the invitation, an ‘event detail form’ will be sent to you for filling.

Email: mayor@bridgend.gov.uk

Bridgend County Borough Council
Mayor’s Parlour
Civic Offices
Angel Street
Bridgend
CF31 4WB

Cities like Cardiff and Swansea have Lord Mayors, but county boroughs like Bridgend have mayors.

Our mayors have a non-political and non-executive role. Thus, they are very different to directly elected mayors such as the Mayor of London. The mayor is a civic head and represents the borough as first citizen in what is a ceremonial role.

Bridgend County Borough Council has a Leader and Cabinet style of executive. The Council’s Leader and their cabinet directs the council, with scrutiny committees monitoring cabinet decisions closely. Cabinet members decide policy and bring their decisions to the full Council.

The mayor’s job at Council meetings is to:

• chair the meetings
• ensure that each agenda item is debated fairly
• ensure people abide by the borough’s debate rules

At full Council, it is unusual for the mayor to speak on an issue, as they need to be impartial. However if necessary, they hold the casting vote on issues.

A mayor’s workload can vary from year to year. This depends on what happens during their term, their interests and personal circumstances such as if they work, are retired, or have caring commitments. “Engagements” include a mixture of:

• attending citizenship ceremonies for borough residents completing the process of becoming British citizens
• attending local community events
• attending performances and concerts
• civic functions for visiting dignitaries such as members of the royal family
• meetings such as chairing full Council, or charity committee meetings
• opening newly built or renovated buildings
• presenting prizes and awards
• presenting the Mayor’s Citizenship Awards
• representing the borough at events held in other areas
• visits such as to borough residents celebrating special wedding anniversaries, or birthdays, schools, hospital wards, residential homes, and day centres at Christmas

It’s not against the rules, but, in Bridgend County Borough, the mayor normally only holds the title for one year.

The mayor and consort wear their chains of office when they attend functions for the Council. The mayor always wears the chain on official business, unless specifically requested not to. Deputy mayors wear their chain when representing the mayor.

At the end of their terms, previous mayors and consorts are presented with ‘past mayor’ medallions. They are entitled to wear their medallions at civic functions, and if they are asked to act as the mayor’s representative at an event.

The Mayor’s Parlour is a room in the Civic Offices which is used for meeting dignitaries and other guests. In recent years the mayor has officially welcomed guests to the parlour from Zambia, Canada, Japan, France, Russia, Sweden, Norway, Ecuador and many other countries.

The parlour displays a selection of gifts the mayoralty has received including commemorative plates, plaques, scrolls and photographs of memorable events like the Queen’s jubilees.

The Democratic Services Team support the mayor, and deputy mayor.

All councillors receive a basic salary. Yet the mayor and deputy mayor receive additional remuneration to enable them to fulfil their additional duties.