The Mayor is a symbol of the Council and carries out the ceremonial duties of the Council. The Mayor is regarded as the first citizen of the Borough. The Mayor for Amber Valley Borough Council for 2008-2009 is Councillor Jean Gemmell her consort is her husband Mr Peter Gemmell.
The Mayor is a member of the Council who is elected by his or her fellow Councillors. The Mayor's term of office is one year, with elections taking place at the Annual Meeting of the Council each May. At the same time, a Deputy Mayor is also elected to assist in civic duties and to take the Mayor's place when the Mayor is not available.
Both the Mayor and the Deputy Mayor choose a Mayoress (or, in the case of a female Mayor, a Consort) to support them in their duties during the year.
The Mayor has the following responsibilities:-
- to uphold and promote the purposes of the Constitution, and to interpret the Constitution when necessary;
- to preside over meetings of the 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 the Council meeting is a forum for the debate of matters of concern to the local community and the place at which members who are not on the Cabinet or hold positions as Committee Chairmen are able to hold the Cabinet and Committee Chairmen to account;
- 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 the Mayor determines appropriate.
The Mayor receives many invitations to events and occasions of many types throughout the Borough and will attend literally hundreds of these during the year. He or she welcomes royal visitors to the Borough and is often called upon to greet other visitors at the request of other organisations.
The Mayor attends a number of annual functions, including the Annual Meeting, Civic Service and Annual Civic Dinner (which raises money for charity).
