Haringey has a new mayor following an election last night.
Councillor Jennifer Mann was appointed mayor of Haringey at a special Haringey Borough Council meeting at Alexandra Palace in South Terrace, Alexandra Park.
Read on: http://www.haringeyindependent.co.uk/news/12953930.display/
I'm sure the citizens of St Anns will be thrilled to know that the deputy mayor is to be Cllr Ali Gul Ozbek, ward member for St Ann’s. By the buggins-turn rules of mayorship, that means he would get to be Mayor next year. (Does LBH do this? Was Cllr Mann deputy this year? )
The Mayor of Haringey is the elected chair of the council and acts as its civic and ceremonial head, representing the borough at events and ceremonies across Haringey. So no actual Boris-type power, but lots of lovely photo opportunities.
Not to mention £16,797 in allowances. Allowances for what, exactly ? Wear and tear on the Mayoral bum sitting in the Mayoral car ?
AS a Member of the Council I attended the Mayor-making ceremony. I lost count of the numbers of bouquets of flowers that were handed out.
There were bouquets for the outgoing Mayor, the new Mayor, the new Deputy Mayor (?) and each of their two "Consorts". I hope I haven't double-counted – or left anyone out. At the side the flower girls were lined up with more bunches.
It was a bumper day for at least one local florist even if the total costs were relatively small. Given the degree of cuts to services to the public, with more on their way, I couldn't help thinking it lacked a semblance of restraint.
I look forward to the ceremonial framing and hanging of the Leader, Mayor and Deputy next year - not, of course, for any personal animus but pour encourager les autres, you understand. No reason why the Borough's ropemakers and rough carpenters shouldn't have as much call as florists on our Council tax, de temps en temps. Let the tumbrils roll.
Sure looks good for a local businessman to get to wear all that bling though? Must mean his business is the one to support? Those ceremonial events generate loads of photocalls. And it may be only ceremonial, but it does matter to the people who get these visits, schoolkids etc treat Mayoral visits as one step removed from royals. (Please don't divert into whether we need royals...)
I stopped paying attention when I stopped being paid to do the photocalls...
The Mayor may be politically neutral but has been a Labour councillor every year since 1971.
Were there really no suitable mayoral candidates from the other parties in all that time ?
Your cat would probably be appointed Michael if it has Labour credentials.
© 2024 Created by Hugh. Powered by
© Copyright Harringay Online Created by Hugh