The Mayor

Gents/Ladies
is there anyone out there who can actually tell me why our local towns etc have a Mayor if i have ever come across a position that takes the **** then i have just found one,
They get an entertainment allowance for the 12 months in office,have there own secretary,get there picture in the paper 7 days a week,surely this is a complete waste of cash and they should be abolished,how much would this save the country,sorry if anyone reads this article and has held this position in the past or at present but if you have fair play to you what a jolly you have had on our hard earned money,

Dai 55

Dai, I think it very much depends on the size of the town/city as to how much the mayor does. He is a councillor in the first place and is elected for a number of duties including council meetings in which he would chair like a mini speaker if you like and will ensure the meeting does not go off the rails when disagreements ensue. He is supposed to be unbiased but has normally the power of casting vote if the vote is equal between councillors. I guess if you didn't have someone there (much like a PMC in the mess) important meetings and decisions could end up in chaos. He is also there to officiate at formal functions such as Rememberence Sunday and is the official civic representative. Many Mayors are also involved with the many charities that are in and around their towns. Our local Mayor even took time to be at the launch of the new school uniform for our local secondary school which made the kids feel quite important. Along with all that, they generally have normal council duties to perform. I know that many people are against the pomp and ceremony off the mayor especially when he is dressed up in his/her gowns and chains but I do think they serve a worthwhile purpose aside from the bull aspect.

FYI

Mayor

<!-- /firstHeading --><!-- bodyContent --><!-- tagline -->From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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<!-- /jumpto --><!-- bodytext -->For the 'mayor' in Foursquare, see Foursquare (service).
In many countries, a mayor (from the Latin māior, meaning "greater") is the highest ranking officer in a municipal government of local town or large urban city.
In many systems serves as chief executive officer and/or ceremonial official of many types of municipalities. Worldwide, there is a wide variance in local laws and customs regarding the powers and responsibilities of a mayor, as well as the means by which a mayor is elected or otherwise mandated.

For lots more information abouts mayors duties etc. in different countries as well as the UK check out Wikipedia, very interesting and informative.

Have fun
Dilwyn