Town Mayor

Susan Clinch

Town Mayor

Councillor Susan Clinch was elected Mayor of Ampthill for 2023/2024 on the 24th May 2023, Cllr Stephen Judge was elected Deputy Mayor. The Mayor will be fundraising during her year of office for her nominated charities, Bedfordshire Down’s Syndrome Support Group  & YoungMinds.

Check out the events page for details of any fund raising events. www.ampthill-tc.gov.uk/events

The Mayor of Ampthill welcomes invitations to attend events around the Town and from other towns and villages. On some occasions it may not be possible for the Mayor to attend, should this be the case the Deputy Mayor or another Councillor will deputise where possible. If you have an invitation for the Mayor please contact the Town Council offices.

 What does the Mayor do?

The Mayor and the Deputy Mayor are elected by the Council at the Annual Meeting of the Council each year in May. The Mayor is the first citizen of the Town of Ampthill and he or she chairs the Council meetings during their year in office. He or she has precedence over all but members of the Royal Family and the Queen’s deputy, the Lord Lieutenant.

The role of the Mayor of Ampthill is to represent Ampthill Town Council and the community of the town. The Mayor’s responsibilities include the following:

  • To uphold, promote and interpret the Standing Orders of the Council. 
  • To preside over meetings of the Council so that its business can be carried out efficiently.
  • To ensure that the Council meeting is the forum for the debate of matters of concern to the local community. 
  • To act as the figure head for the Town Council’s personnel. 
  • To promote public involvement in the Council’s activities including a bi monthly article in the Council’s newsletter ‘Around the Pump’. 
  • To attend civic and ceremonial functions within the Town and the wider community. 

The Mayor’s role is distinct from that of Councillor and the Mayor acts in a non-political manner when carrying out the civic role.


Chair of Council

The Mayor’s other role is to chair meetings of the Council so:

  • That its business can be carried out efficiently and with regard to the rights of Councillors and the interests of the community; 
  • To uphold and promote the purposes of the Constitution, and to interpret the Constitution when necessary; 
  • 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 Councillors are able to hold the Committee Chairman to account. 
  • If the Mayor is present at the meeting he or she must preside. If the Mayor is not present, then the Deputy Mayor will preside. 
  • It is the duty of the Mayor to ensure that Council meetings are conducted in a seemly manner and in accordance with the Local Government Act, 1972 and Council Standing Orders. In the cases of disorderly or unruly behaviour by the public it is in order for the Mayor to require the perpetrators be removed. In extreme cases an order can be made to adjourn the meeting while the public gallery is cleared. 
  • It is in the power of the Mayor to call a Special Meeting of the Council at any time, subject to prior notice being given. The Mayor may also alter the time and place of a scheduled Council meeting, in consultation with the Town Clerk, for reasons of urgency or other circumstances, again, provided notice is given. 
     

Special privileges accorded to the Mayor, include:

Provision for a second, or casting vote in the event of an equality of votes on any question before the meeting. The Mayor makes his/her initial vote and in the case of equality may then use the casting vote.
 

Invitations for the Mayor 

During his or her Mayoral year of office, the Mayor of Ampthill will attend civic and ceremonial functions within the Town and the wider community. The engagements which the Mayor attends will be recorded under Mayor’s announcements at the monthly council meetings. 

The Mayor of Ampthill welcomes invitations to attend events around the Town and from other towns and villages. On some occasions it may not be possible for the Mayor to attend, should this be the case the Deputy Mayor will deputise where possible. 

Mayor’s Charity Events 

Annually the Mayor holds a Civic Service to celebrate the people and organisations within the town. 

He or she also hosts events during the mayoral year to support and raise funds for his or her chosen charities.  This year the Mayor has chosen to support two charities:

Bedfordshire Down's Syndrome Support Group - Registered Charity Number 1102599

Providing friendship, support, education & development and social activitiesfor those with Down’s syndrome and their families. For more information on what support the charity provide please visit their website here 

 

YoungMinds - Registered Charity Numbers 1016968 & SC039700

A national charity supporting all aspects of children’s and young people’s mental health. For more information on what support the charity provide please visit their website here 

Should you wish to make a donation to the Mayor's Charities the Mayors Charity Account details are as follow:

Bank: Unity Trust Bank    Account Name: Ampthill Town Council Mayor's Charity Account

Account Number: 20410641      Sort Code: 60-83-01