Chris Aldred was appointed the second-ever charter mayor for Harrogate at a meeting this morning.
Chris Aldred was appointed the second-ever charter mayor for Harrogate at a meeting this morning.
Mr Aldred is a Liberal Democrat councillor and represents the High Harrogate & Kingsley division on North Yorkshire Council.
The non-political role involves promoting the historic and ceremonial traditions of the Harrogate area during events and occasions.
He follows Conservative councillor Michael Harrison who has been charter mayor for the last year.
Mr Aldred told the meeting the role was good value for money to the taxpayer as it costs 46p a year per household through council tax.
He said:
“I feel humbled and honoured to accept the appointment, hopefully it will only be for one year and we’ll have a proper town council and a proper mayor this time next year.”
The charter mayor role is much-reduced from the former Harrogate Borough Council mayor who attended hundreds of events and functions across the district every year.
By contrast, the charter mayor is expected to attend far fewer meetings with the role being described as ‘mayor-lite’.
The charter mayor is not entitled to expenses such as a chauffeur driven car that the former Harrogate Borough Council mayor could benefit from.
Although the charter mayor is still entitled to wear chains and civic regalia as worn by previous mayors.
If a Harrogate Town Council is created, it will assume responsibility for the mayoral position from North Yorkshire Council should it want it.
It could then decide to allocated more money to a mayoral position that would see its role expanded.
His deputy is fellow Lib Dem councillor Philip Broadbank, who spent time as both mayor and deputy mayor of Harrogate during the 1990s.
Mr Aldred worked in local government across Yorkshire for 23 years in the tourism and arts sectors. He has also worked at Bradford Cathedral, the Army Foundation College & Harrogate Convention Centre.
Last year’s mayor Michael Harrison also addressed charter trustees about his time as mayor. These are the 10 councillors who represent Harrogate.
He said:
“It’s been an enjoyable year. I attended some engagements you’d absolutely expect a charter mayor to attend like Remembrance Sunday, events at Stonefall Cemetery and things involving the military.
"There were also other occasions like corporate events at the HCC and I recently visited a resident in care home who turned 100.”
Fairground rides return to Valley Gardens for half term
Six teenage boys arrested after 'violent incident' in Harrogate
Your Skipton and Your Ilkley to launch on DAB next week
Police appeal after hit-and-run on Knaresborough High Street
Harrogate Town announce signing of Chesterfield midfielder
Free Fuel Friday: Another winner scoops free tank of fuel
Smiley/sad face speed signs set to remain banned in North Yorkshire
Harrogate primary school takes climate education to national stage
Historic village pub enjoys successful reopening under new ownership
Masham primary school unveils newly refurbished library
No motorists turned away from Harrogate waste centres due to rule change
RHS Harlow Carr to host Summer Garden Weekend
First look inside Furlong and Furrow ahead of reopening
Harrogate man and colleagues tackle Three Peaks in memory of his mum
Harrogate care organisation raises £500 at Nidderdale Walk
Mayor urged to "come to the table" to discuss road repair funding
Monthly IT support clinic for elderly people launched in Harrogate
Harrogate College celebrates milestone as new campus takes shape
Children are taking over the Leeds station tannoy this weekend – here's why
Vernon Kay joins lineup for Harrogate's Symphonic Ibiza event
