Lord Mayor of Bristol

Introduction

The Lord Mayor is the first Citizen of the City and County of Bristol. There have been Mayors in Bristol since 1216 and a Lord Mayor since 1899, following Queen Victoria's decision to grant Bristol this privilege. This page seeks to answer the questions people frequently have about the Lord Mayor.

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Who is the Lord Mayor and Deputy Lord Mayor of Bristol?

The Right Honourable The Lord Mayor of Bristol, Councillor Christopher Davies

The Deputy Lord Mayor is Councillor Royston Griffey JP, LLB

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What are the duties of the Lord Mayor?

The Lord Mayor devotes most of his/her time to the promotion of the city, key initiatives of the council and supporting a wide range of Bristol based organisations. In carrying out this role, The Lord Mayor will carry out approximately 800 engagements a year. These engagements cover the a wide spectrum of events from major Royal visits to small community group meetings and local charity events.

The Lord Mayor also chairs the meeting of the full council - when all councillors meet together.

The post of the Lord Mayor of Bristol is different to the Mayor of London and many European city mayors in that it is a ceremonial post which does not carry direct power. Unlike these other mayors, Lord Mayors are not directly elected by the people.

The Lord Mayor, as first citizen of Bristol is the person that typically welcomes important visitors and dignitaries to the city. However, royal visitors to the city are organised and welcomed by the Queen's representative, The Lord Lieutenant.

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How is the Lord Mayor chosen?

The Lord Mayor is elected annually in May when all councillors meet together at the Annual Council Meeting. The Lord Mayor has to be a councillor and is chosen by the other councillors who serve on Bristol City Council. The Lord Mayor continues to be a member of the council during their term of office.

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For how long does a Mayor serve?

The term of office for the Lord Mayor is one year. It begins once the 'Mayor-making' ceremony has taken place at the Annual Council meeting in mid-May. There is no limit for how many times somebody may serve as the Lord Mayor of Bristol.

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The Lord Mayor's charities

The Lord Mayor is Patron of or connected with hundreds of charities within Bristol and assists them as much as possible.

Every year, the Lord Mayor's Christmas Appeal for Children helps hundreds of children in Bristol with vouchers for food, toys and clothing. The appeal is run by Rotary, Round Table and Lions Clubs with the Lord Mayor as the appeal's patron.

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Lord Mayor's video

Watch a fascinating video about the history of the Lord Mayor's office and its special place in civic life in the city. You will be connected to an external site when you select one of the links below. Please choose your connection speed.

• High - ISDN or fast broadband
• Med - Cable, slower broadband rates
• Low - e.g. dial-up connection

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Contact details

Lord Mayor's Office
The Mansion House,
Clifton Down,
Bristol BS8 3LJ

Telephone Number: 01179 031 456
Fax: 01179 031 454
Email: david.clark@bristol.gov.uk

Office Hours:
Monday to Thursday - 8.30am till 5.00pm
Fridays - 8.30am till 4.30pm

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