Your Mayor

Mayor of the Day 2024-2025

Cllr. Pam Morrison
Consort – Cllr Dave Chable

 

Harwich Town Council has the privilege of being permitted to elect a Town Mayor, a long-standing tradition originally granted by Royal Charter in 1604. The mayor is elected annually at the Annual Statutory Mayor Making Meeting held in May. The election of Mayor is the first item of business on the agenda and they remains in office until immediately after the election of their successor at the following year’s annual meeting. The mayor holds two roles – one as Chairman of the Town Council where their duties are set by local government legislation and the other as Civic Ambassador for the town.

Under statutory legislation the mayor must be a serving councillor. The mayor also serves as an Ex Officio member on all of the council’s committees holding normal voting rights. The mayor may also be selected to sit on Working Parties as arranged by the council.

Mayoress / Consort

The mayor is accompanied during their term of office by a Mayoress or Consort and has a supporting role in the annual Mayoress’/Consort’s appeal which raises funds for local charities and good causes.

The mayor wears the civic regalia when attending functions in the capacity of Mayor; either the full Chains of Office or the Mayor’s badge, whichever is appropriate. The Mayoral robes are only worn during civic occasions in the local calendar – Mayor Making and Remembrance Sunday.

Invitations for the Mayor and Mayoress

As Civic Ambassador the Mayor is the public face of the council and represents the parish of Harwich & Dovercourt. During their year of office the Mayor will be invited to attend many events, both within and outside of the parish and these invitations invariably include requests to open school fetes and sporting events as well as attending civic services and receptions in neighbouring towns within the district.

All invitations for the Mayor and Consort’s attendance at events are to be forwarded to the Assistant Clerk to the Council, in good time.

The Deputy Mayor for 2024/25 is Cllr. Alan Todd

To do this you can contact The Guildhall in any of the following ways:
Please complete the mayoral invitation request form

E-mail – marie@harwichtowncouncil.co.uk

By post:
Mayoral Invitation Request
Harwich Town Council
The Guildhall
11, Church Street
Harwich
Essex
CO12 3DS

Please be aware that submitting this form does not guarantee that the Mayor will be able to attend – attendance will be subject to confirmation at a later date.