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Many charitable and social organisations invite the Mayor and Mayoress to attend their various functions. On these occasions as indeed on all occasions when a Civic Head is present, it is essential that he/she be accorded the precedence due to the Office. This is part of the general law of our country and is contained in Section 18(5) of The Local Government Act 1933, which reads:
"The Mayor shall have precedence in all places in the Borough: provided that nothing in this sub-section shall prejudicially affect Her Majesty's royal prerogative".
In other words, the Mayor surrenders precedence only when the Lord Lieutenant is present in his official capacity representing the Queen.
Unless the Mayor occupies the Chair at a gathering, he/she should be seated on the immediate right of the Chairman, and if he/she is asked to speak on a toast list, organisers should accord the Mayor the privilege of being the first to propose or respond to the toast which immediately follows the Loyal Toast.
The Mayor and Mayoress should always be seated on the platform or at the top table. When the Mayoress only attends a function, similar arrangements should be made for her.
When the Deputy Mayor is present, arrangements similar to these should be made for his/her convenience and when the Deputy Mayor is attending a function in place of the Mayor, he/she should be accorded the full precedence of the Mayor. When the Deputy Mayoress/Consort only attends a function, similar arrangements should be made for her.
When the Mayor arrives, an appropriate person from the organisation should meet the Mayor and Mayoress/Consort. The Mayor and Mayoress/Consort should be accompanied at all times during the function and to their car when they leave. The Mayor should not be left alone at any time during the function, even if accompanied by the Mayoress/Consort.
When addressing civic leaders it is important to use the correct form of address:
Title of Mayor: "The Worshipful the Mayor of the Borough of Castle Morpeth" (this title must always be used for a lady holding office as Mayor)
or "His Worship the Mayor of the Borough of Castle Morpeth".
Addressed as: "Mr Mayor" or "Your Worship" in the case of a gentleman;
"Madam Mayor" or "Your Worship" in the case of a lady.
Title of Mayoress: "The Mayoress of the Borough of Castle Morpeth"
Addressed as: "Madam Mayoress" or "Mayoress"
Title of Deputy Mayor: "The Deputy Mayor of the Borough of Castle Morpeth"
Addressed as: "Mr Deputy Mayor"
Title of Deputy Mayoress: "The Deputy Mayoress of the Borough of Castle Morpeth"
Addressed as: "Madam Deputy Mayoress" or "Deputy Mayoress" |