The Mayor's Office

Brief History of the Mayoralty

The word "Mayor" derives from the same Latin word "Magnus", meaning great. The Office of the Mayor, together with the Doomesday Book and the feudal system were brought to this country by the Normans, as such an office had existed on the continent at least since the 5th Century. The first English Mayor was the Mayor of London, appointed in 1189 by Richard I.

The Mayor of the Metropolitan Borough of Solihull is elected annually by the Council from among the elected Councillors. By statute, the election of the Mayor must be the first business transacted at the Annual Meeting. The Mayor continues his/her term of Office, unless he/she resigns or becomes disqualified, until his/her successor becomes entitled to act as Mayor.

Powers and duties of the Mayor

The primary function of a Mayor is to preside over meetings of the Council. If he/she is not present at any meeting of the Council, then the Deputy Mayor has to preside. The Mayor must have a full knowledge of the provisions of standing orders but he/she can normally consult the Chief Executive. The Mayor's decision on the interpretation of standing orders and on any questions not provided for is final. The ruling of the Mayor on a point of order or on a personal explanation is not open to discussion. When the Mayor rises during a debate the member speaking should resume his seat and the Council should remain silent.

The Mace

The Mace is an emblem of authority and its appearance indicates that the Mayor is acting in his (her) official capacity: likewise its absence shows that the proceedings are not fully official. The Mace is carried by the Macebearer (usually on the right shoulder) and immediately precedes the Mayor. The Mace is reversed in the presence of the Sovereign. It is a symbol of the Royal authority delegated by the Sovereign to the Mayor and is thus redundant in the Monarch's presence.

The Mace (a club or bludgeon) was originally a weapon of war and was one of the most primitive weapons produced by man, but fell into disuse with the advent of the longbow and the introduction of gunpowder from China in the early 13th Century.

Solihull's Mace was presented to the Borough in 1954 by Captain Oliver Bird. It weighs approximately 2.5 kilos (5lbs. 10oz.), is made of silver heavily gilded and contains approximately 300 pieces. At the top is affixed the Royal Crown signifying that Mayoral Office is held under the authority of the Crown. The knob is divided into four panels showing:-

1. The arms of Solihull;
2. The Bear and Staff of Warwick;
3. Parish Church of St Alphege; and
4. An inscription: "Presented by Captain Oliver Bird, MC JP to the Borough of Solihull on the occasion of its incorporation on 24 May 1954".

The Civic Suite

The Civic Suite is the home of the Mayoralty. It also houses the Register Office on the lower ground floor, the Members' Offices on the middle floor, and the Council Chamber, Committee Rooms and Mayor's Parlour on the top floor.

1. The Mayor's Parlour

   The Mayor's Parlour is situated in the Civic Suite. There are some items from the Civic Plate in the Parlour, and some paintings from the Mayoral Art Collection. The Parlour is for the exclusive use of the Mayor and his/her guests. Entry to the Parlour is by invitation only, and guests are announced by a member of the Civic Suite staff.

2. Visitors to the Civic Suite

   The Mayor will receive many visitors from all walks of life, and all parts of the Borough (even countrywide) in the Mayor's Parlour. Some visitors may request a meeting, others may be invited in by the Mayor, and there may be occasions when the Mayor is asked to host Civic/Council events in the Mayor's Parlour.
   The Mayor may receive groups (students, overseas visitors, school children, Clubs, Associations etc.) in the Civic Suite. They are greeted with a drink in the Refreshment Room and the Mayor is announced. The Mayor may wish to chat casually with several groups before showing them the Council Chamber, where a short talk on the Council procedures and representatives is usually well received. The Mayor may also allow them to see the Parlour, and finish up with the group being addressed by the Mayor's Attendant in front of the Civic Plate in reception. The whole tour taking no more than one hour.

3. The Council Chamber

   The Council Chamber is used primarily for Council Meetings. However, it is also used for Conferences, meetings and AGM's etc.

Contact the Mayor's Office

The Mayor's Parlour,
The Council House,
Solihull
B91 9QS

Telephone: 0121-704-6041/6023
Fax: 0121 704 8421/8070
Email: mayor@solihull.gov.uk