Role of the Winsford Town Mayor
Winsford Town Council elects one of its councillors as Mayor on an annual basis, and the Mayor serves from May one year to May the next. The Mayor is elected at the Town Council’s annual meeting.
The ancient office of the Mayor itself dates back goes back to the days when Mayors had much wider authority than they do today. The position is now largely a civic role, although the Town Mayor does Chair Winsford Town Council meetings.
In terms of Winsford, Mayors of Over date back to around 1280, but the title of Winsford Town Mayor was introduced in 1974.
The importance of the position of Town Mayor is still important and it is widely recognised and remains the highest office that the citizens of the town, through their elected representatives, can confer.
Each Mayor will adopt their own personal approach, establishing their priorities and interests.
On civic occasions, two wardens attend with the Mayor each carrying a silver mace. The oldest mace dates from around 1660 and is made of silver around a wooden core. It was presented by Vale Royal Abbey mansion during this time. The second mace was given in 1910 by Sir John Brunner the local MP. The Mayor wears the red robe and hat made by the London robe makers to Queen Victoria and the gold chain of office that was presented in 1894 to the former Urban District of Winsford.
The Town Mayor, or in his or her absence the Deputy Mayor, has the following roles or functions:
- To uphold and promote the purposes of the Council’s constitution.
- To preside over Council meetings so that business can be carried out efficiently and with regardsto the rights of Councillors and the interests of the community.
- To ensure the Council meeting is a forum for the debate of matters of concern to the local community.
- To promote public involvement in the Council’s activities.
- To attend Civic and Ceremonial functions as the Council and Mayor determine is appropriate.
- To act as ex officio members of all Committees, Sub-Committees and Working Groups.
The Current Mayor – Cllr Ernie Welch
Cllr Ernie Welch was elected as Town Mayor in May 2023 and will serve until May 2024. He is supported by his daughter as Consort Kate Welch and by Junior Mayor Lily Atkin.
The Mayor has chosen to support St Luke’s Hospice during his term of office, having chosen St Luke’s because it is a cause close to his heart – his sister has worked for them for over thirty years and he himself has received help and support during his own battle with cancer.
Please click HERE to view engagements
To invite the Mayor/Deputy Mayor/Junior Mayor to an Event/Engagement can you please complete and return the proforma in the link below.