The Mayor of Felixstowe is elected annually in May and the role carries a number of significant Civic and Ceremonial responsibilities, such as:
- To uphold and promote the Council’s standing orders and governance documents and to interpret the Standing Orders (Council Procedure Rules) when chairing Council meetings
- To preside over principal meetings of the Council so that its business can be carried out efficiently and with regard to the rights of Councillors and the interest 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 of the public and their elected Councillors can hold the Council/committees to account
- To promote public involvement in the Council’s activities
- To call extra meetings of Council, subject to proper procedures being followed as defined in the Council’s Standing Orders and following discussion with the Clerk.
- To be the representative for the Town Council, the community and local democracy and to work to ensure that the dignity and impartiality of the Office of Mayor is upheld
- To promote the Council’s policies and good name at home and elsewhere
- To host all the Council’s civic events and other major Council sponsored events as appropriate and to welcome visitors to the town on behalf of its members
- To act as the Council’s ambassador in promoting the town and in selling its locality to industrialists and tourists
- To attend and host receptions and other events associated with charitable and voluntary organisations operating within the Town Council’s area; thereby assisting in promoting their good works and affording them due recognition for their valuable contributions to the wellbeing of the local community