The Function of the Mayor

Throughout the year the Mayor is required to perform two basic functions:

Chairman of the Charter Trustees

The Mayor is the Chairman of the Charter Trustees, who are the 28 Councillors elected to represent the Wards of the City. This is primarily a function of control and chairmanship at their meetings.

City Ambassador

This is a non-political role. The various engagements and events range from civic receptions to carol services. The Mayor undertakes about 600 engagements each year, including:

Charity and Voluntary Events.

The Mayor supports local charitable and voluntary organisations within the city boundary and is frequently asked to open an event or attend an anniversary. As the President or Patron of a large number of societies and other voluntary bodies, the Mayor is invited to attend many Annual General Meetings to take the chair or preside.

Civic Receptions.

Hospitality is given by the Charter Trustees and the Mayor hosts these events. The Mayor greets each guest personally and makes a speech of welcome on behalf of the Charter Trustees and the Citizens of Bath. This is followed by a response by the leading guest. 

Civic Visits to and from Twin Cities.

All the arrangements are made by the Mayor’s Office. This involves a complete programme for the visitors and includes a welcoming reception held in the Mayor’s Parlour, visits to local schools and other centres of interest. For visits from Bath to the Twin Cities, the Mayor is normally joined by the Clerk and two other Charter Trustees.

Church Services and Carols.

The Mayor invites the Charter Trustees, Honorary Aldermen and Bath’s Member of Parliament, to join in religious services on different occasions throughout the year. The largest and most important of these are annual services held in Bath Abbey: the Civic Service in early June and the Remembrance Service in November. Just before Christmas, the Mayor is usually asked to read one of the lessons at a large number of Carol Services in the Abbey.

Festival Launches.

The Mayor attends large events such as the Bath International Festival and the Bath Mozartfest.

Sporting Events.

The Mayor is often invited to launch sporting events, or to present the prizes. Each year, the Mayor attends matches in support of the local Football, Rugby and Cricket Clubs.

Schools.

The Mayor is frequently invited to visit schools, and often wears the full robe and Collar of Office, so that the children can learn something of Bath’s Mayoralty.

Parlour Visits.

If a formal Civic Reception would be too large, guests are received in the Mayor’s Parlour, where the Mayor is supported by one or two Charter Trustees.