Scarborough Gets a New Mayor

Thursday, 20 April 2023 06:00

By Matthew Pells

The civic traditions of Scarborough have been preserved following the election of a Charter Mayor for the town.

Councillor John Ritchie was elected to the position of Charter Mayor at a ceremony yesterday.

The non-political role will involve Councillor Ritchie attending ceremonial and civic occasions, including Remembrance events and charity functions.

The charter trustees were established on April 1 when Scarborough Borough Council, including the role of the borough’s mayor, was abolished. While the civic collection, including the civic regalia, will be the responsibility of the charter trustees, they will “not have powers to deliver any services”.

The trustees are made up of the six councillors who represent the unparished areas of Scarborough on North Yorkshire Council and ensure the continuation of the civic, historic and ceremonial traditions of the former borough council.

Following the abolition of the Borough council Councillor Ritchie says the new role will ensure many of the towns ceremonial traditions will be able to continue.

Councillor Ritchie took the Mayor's Oath at a ceremony in Scarborough Town Hall.

In his acceptance speech the new Mayor spoke about his love for Scarborough, his family’s long history with the area, and his desire to act as “an ambassador for the town”.

Cllr Janet Jefferson has been appointed as the town’s deputy charter mayor.

Cllr Jefferson said:

“Having previously served as the Mayor of the Borough of Scarborough I did not think I would get another chance to act in a civic role, so I am delighted to be the Deputy Charter Mayor for the next year.”

The meeting also saw the approval of the charter trustees’ annual budget of £20,980 which includes funding for hosting events, transport, and technical support.

A large portion of the budget – £17,540 – is to be allocated to council officer support for the trustees, covering areas such as democratic services, finance, and communications.

Outgoing Mayor Eric Broadbent thinks it's important the role continues but says the role could change again next year if a town council is formed.

Councillor Broadbent says he enjoyed his third stint as the Mayor of the Borough of Scarborough.

Eric Broadbent says the role of mayor has important hostorical significance for the town and he's glad the role is continuing despite the abolition of the borough council.

A community governance review is currently ongoing into the possible creation of a town council for Scarborough which is one of only two areas in North Yorkshire not to have a town or parish council.

Should a town council be created in Scarborough, it would be formed for administrative purposes from April 2024, and the first elections would be on May 2, 2024, when 15 town councillors would be elected for a reduced term of three years.

At this point the charter trustees would be abolished and the power to elect the mayor passed to the town councillors.

Elections for the town council would then take place every four years from 2027.

Consultation on the draft recommendations is continuing with the conclusions to be presented to North Yorkshire Council this summer.

Residents have until May 5 to take part in the consultation, which can be accessed at: www.northyorks.gov.uk/your-council/community-governance-reviews