4.8.6 Ceremonial aspects of the mayoral role: openings, chain, robe, portrait
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By convention, the mayor is the council’s primary representative at public events. It is not appropriate for other elected members to usurp the mayor’s representative role without his/her agreement.
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The mayor will from time to time perform ceremonial functions. In relation to the opening of council projects, the mayor and the chair of the relevant local board may share this function. Arrangements should be agreed in advance and respect the division of responsibilities between the governing body and local boards, as well the mayor’s primary leadership role.
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When performing ceremonial functions the mayor may wear the mayoral robe and the mayoral chains as a symbol of his or her office, as well as the importance and dignity of the occasion. The council does not have its own mayoral chain but owns the mayoral chains inherited from the legacy councils. The protocol is that the mayor uses the mayoral chain that relates to the area the ceremony takes place in.
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Further information about ceremonial aspects is contained in Section 12: Official Information.