Do we have to follow the succession policy?

Question

Our council has a succession policy for choosing the next Mayor, who also becomes Chair of council. I don’t massively object to the policy principles - it provides that everyone who wants the job gets a turn to do it, if they stay as councillor for long enough, which seems fair enough. My concern is that it’s written down as a formal Council Policy, which implies that Councillors are obliged to comply with it.  Could the forum please confirm that whatever the policy says, it is merely advisory and we have a free vote on who we choose as Mayor/ Chair.

Answer 1

Any time you are asked to vote the choice is entirely upon the individual to vote according to their own conscience.
Nobody can be compelled or coerced To vote other than according to their free will.

Answer 2

100% agree that no councillor can be compelled to vote a particular way by any person or policy.  I would be very interested to see a copy of the succession policy.

Answer 3

It's not uncommon and always worth remembering that it grants no special favours other than the right (privilege) of representing the council at civic functions albeit that some find that onerous.  Anyone can vote as they see fit on any motion but for many councils it can be really hard to get someone to put themselves forward as a candidate for mayor/chair so a bit of advance planning can encourage someone to take the job on.

Comments

Whilst ‘technically’ correct to say the chair/Mayor is ‘just another Cllr’ that is not a very accurate representation of the reality for many town and parish councils.  They are first among equals and that of itself bestows certain ‘influence.’

Then there is the chair’s allowance of course - unilateral authority to spend and not subject to further approval nor account in audit.
Actually, the chair / clerk combo exercise considerable (and certainly not always equitable) influence - and therefore authority - over the actual written agenda, the tone, tempo and focus of the meeting AND how the minutes represent the record of the meeting.
How many posts and comments do we see from Cllrs querying and questioning chair and clerk ‘ownership’ and influence over the agenda.
An effective chair has massive influence over a council.

Answer 4

I would advocate removal of the policy (and am surprised to see it retained elsewhere). I think those councils that wish to retain a ceremonial role need the ability to separate it from the chairmanship. Its an important role and needs someone capable of actually managing a meeting. I see to many Town Councils wasting a year managing an ineffective Mayor that they all knew couldn’t do it, but nobody wants to upset “tradition”. I've always felt the Chair should be best person for job.. period (whether they been on council 10 months or 10 years). Similarly people who simply don't want chairmanship and people who frankly shouldnt be chair.. 

Comments

As far as I'm aware, the legislation doesn't allow the separation of the two roles. The title of Mayor is bestowed upon the Chairman of the Council.

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Your quite correct DTC currently. Some instead sort of fudge it by ensuring "Full Council" meet so often the person has less to chair (putting weight onto committees).