Being Mayor – 100 Days In

It seems like only yesterday that I was elected as Mayor by the members of the city council.  I was reminded recently when I was asked to write this that by the time it is published, I will have served my first 100 days, so this is a look back at those first 100 days.

One of the most common things I’m asked is whether being Mayor is very different from being Deputy Mayor for the year.  It’s a good question, and the answer is both no and yes.  It’s no because the events you attend as Mayor and those you attend as Deputy are very similar.  People sometimes think that the Mayor does the “big” events, and the Deputy the small ones, but it doesn’t work like that.  Certainly, the biggest event I have ever attended was when I was Deputy.

The other thing I’m often asked is “what does the Mayor actually do?”.  It’s another good question and the answer to that explains what I’ve been up to these last 100 days.

The Mayor in Milton Keynes remains a working Councillor throughout the time they serve as Mayor.  With that comes all the things that people see Councillors do but especially doing casework to help them and providing advice on how to navigate the council’s processes.

As Mayor you serve in a non-political, civic ceremonial role.  The Mayor’s job is to support community events and recognise community activities.  The role includes being the city’s representative at important civic events in the city, for examples Armed Forces Day, Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday.  As I’m still the city’s Armed Forces Champion, it will be no surprise that I believe that to be some of the key events in the annual calendar.  There are also things to attend outside Milton Keynes where the city should be represented.

Of course, the Mayor and Deputy also are Chair and Deputy Chair at full council meetings.

Finally, the Mayor gets to pick a main charity to support and raise funds for, and two secondary charities to support.  My main charity this year is MK Food Bank.  It wasn’t a difficult choice as I had been volunteering for them since the pandemic.  The MK Food Bank Mayor’s Challenge this year is to collect 103,00 cans: slightly more than when we set the world record with MK Can in Campbell Park. You can find out more about my Foodbank challenge – https://mkfoodbank.org.uk/mayor-of-mk-charity-of-the-year.

I have also been able to spend some time supporting my two secondary charities: the amazing Westbury Arts Centre and the irreplaceable MK University Hospital Charity, both of whom do the most remarkable work in their sectors.  The city would be worse place without them.

What is planned for the next 100 days? Lots, because there is always something good going on in our great city.  Christmas is coming up and I’m hoping Santa will let me lend a hand, if I’m good.