The Mayor of the Borough of Elmbridge is elected at the Annual Meeting of the Council each May and serves as the First Citizen of the borough, also acting as Chair of the Borough Council.  This year, Councillor Simon Waugh has the honour of being Mayor.  The Mayor represents the Council and through it, the local community at formal and ceremonial occasions in the Borough and beyond.  The mayoral tradition maintains the important links between the Council and the very many organisations, charities and volunteers, businesses and schools, within the community it serves. Each Mayor is always in awe of the fabulous and dedicated volunteers that give their time to good causes across the Borough.

The Mayor’s Secretary, Derrin Gill, in the Democratic Services Team arranges civic matters, the Mayor’s correspondence and manages the many weekly engagements that the Mayor attends. The Mayor also has a chosen charity and Derrin arranges a number of charity fundraising events throughout the year.  This includes arranging the Mayor’s Charity Ball each Spring, often with a theme reflective of the Mayor.

“Each Mayor wants to make the charity ball unique to them and their chosen charity, whether that’s related to their heritage, or their past times and I help realise that as part of the organisation of the Ball”, Derrin explains. “It is definitely not a 9-5 role, as some of the charity events have very late finishes.”

Derrin also has support from Colin, the Mayor’s Chauffeur and Macebearer. Colin will process directly in front of the Mayor, holding the Mace, on civic occasions such as the Annual Council and Civic Services. Take a look at the start of the next Council Meeting webcast!

If you would to know more about the Mayor or to request his attendance at an event, our website has all the information.