Members
Chapter 48: The Speaker of the Council
The position of Speaker of the Council performs the duties often carried out by the post of ‘civic mayor’.
The Council has decided, in agreeing its Executive Arrangements, that the Speaker of the Council will be the first citizen of the Borough and will perform the majority of civic and ceremonial duties for the Borough. The Mayor will perform those functions as the Council’s representative where they relate to the promotion of, or business of, the Council. Any future change to these arrangements will be a matter for the Council to determine.
Section 48.1: The Speaker of the Council may not be a member of the Executive
The Speaker of the Council and the Deputy Speaker will be elected by Council annually and the Speaker will have the following roles and functions:
to uphold and promote the purposes of the Constitution and having sought appropriate advice from the Monitoring Officer, to interpret the Constitution when necessary;
to preside over meetings of Council so that its business can be carried out efficiently and with regard to the rights of Councillors and the interests of the community;
to ensure that Council is a forum for the debate of matters of concern to the local community and the place at which Councillors who are not on the Cabinet can hold the Mayor and Cabinet Members to account in public;
to promote public involvement in the Council’s activities;
to be the conscience of the Council; and
to attend such civic and ceremonial functions as the Council and s/he determines appropriate.
Section 48.2: The Deputy Speaker of the Council will deputise for the Speaker of the Council whenever the Speaker of the Council is unavailable or unable to act
The order of precedence for civic events shall be as follows, with the Borough's First Citizen representing the Council at Civic Ceremonial functions in the Borough including:
Visits of the Royal Family and dignitaries;
Civic receptions, luncheons and dinners;
Funeral or memorial services;
Religious services; and
Prize givings.
And events outside the Borough including:
Those of the Lord Mayor of London;
Invitations from other First Citizens to their Borough; and
Those of the London Mayors’ Association.
This does not preclude the attendance and involvement of the Mayor and/or other Councillors.