Mayoral protocol
The following information is intended to assist organisers of functions which are to be attended by the Mayor and Mayoress/Companion or Deputy Mayor and Deputy Mayoress.
Arrival of the Mayor and Mayoress/Deputy Mayor
The Mayor and Mayoress should be invited to arrive 5 minutes before the commencement of a function. The Mayor and Mayoress should be met on arrival by a responsible representative of the organisation holding the function, who should escort and introduce them to the host and the assembled company as appropriate. The host should remain in attendance throughout the entire duration of the visit or appoint another colleague to fulfil this role. They should also escort the Mayor and Mayoress from the building when they are ready to take their leave.
Correct form of address
The correct style and title of the Mayor is:
The Right Worshipful the Mayor of the City of Sunderland, Councillor Ehthesham Haque (Haque pronounced as Hack) and the Mayoress of the City of Sunderland, Councillor Lynda Scanlan.
Where the Mayoress is not available to attend engagements with the Mayor, the Mayor may attend with a companion or his wife Mrs Fahmida Promy.
In person the Mayor and Mayoress should be addressed as:
Mr Mayor
Madam Mayoress
If you prefer not to address people using pronouns it would be:
Mayor or Mayor of Sunderland
Mayoress or Mayoress of Sunderland
Please note: the Mayor and Mrs Promy follow a halal diet and do not eat pork. The Mayor also has a nut allergy meaning he cannot ingest nuts or any foods with traces of nuts in them.
The Deputy Mayor
The Deputy Mayor is styled:
The Deputy Mayor of the City of Sunderland, Councillor Melanie Thornton and The Deputy Mayoress of the City of Sunderland, Carol Hopps.
In person the Deputy Mayor should be addressed as:
Deputy Mayor
Deputy Mayoress
If you prefer not to address people using pronouns it would be:
Deputy Mayor of Sunderland
Deputy Mayoress of Sunderland
Please note: The Deputy Mayor and Deputy Mayoress do not have any allergies, dietary or access requirements.
Seating
The Mayor is the first citizen of the City of Sunderland and in any formal seating arrangements (dinners, luncheons, meetings and social events) the Mayor/Deputy Mayor should be seated on the immediate right of the host.
However, if a member of the Royal Family or the Lord-Lieutenant were present, they would be given precedence over the Mayor.
Speeches
If the Mayor is required to speak at a function, it is preferred that the Office of the Mayor are given at least three weeks' prior notice. Except from an introduction, it is normal for the Mayor to be the first speaker or to be associated with the first toast.
All relevant information concerning the event should be supplied to the Mayor's Office via the Invite the Mayor online form, together with details of any proposed activity involving the Mayor for agreement.
Parking
Where possible, a parking space should be reserved for the Mayor's car as near to the venue entrance as possible and details included on the Invite the Mayor form.
The Mayor will be accompanied by a Mayoral Support Assistant who is required to remain with the Chains of Office whilst on duty and within easy call by the Mayor.
Church services
The Mayor should be met at the entrance to the church and escorted to the front pew on the righthand side. (At funeral services it is normal for family mourners to occupy the front righthand pew and for the mayoral party to take the left).
Visits to schools or meetings
Where appropriate, the organiser should arrange for those present to rise upon the Mayor's entrance and again on their departure.
Cloakroom facilities
Where cold or inclement weather involves the Mayor arriving in outdoor clothing, the provision of cloakroom facilities on their arrival would be appreciated.
If you require further information about protocol, please contact:
The Mayor's Office
Sunderland City Council
City Hall
Plater Way
Sunderland
SR1 3AA
Email: mayor@sunderland.gov.uk
Share this page
