Hi
Our current Deputy Mayor has informed us that he isn’t able to be the Mayor for the forthcoming municipal year. We have been asked if it’s possible to present the outgoing Deputy Mayor with a past Mayor’s badge at the Annual Meeting, however we feel this should be reserved for past Mayors only. I am interested to know if anyone has had this issue and if they have been presented an alternative badge or other gift of some sort?
Many thanks
Rebecca
I think your instinct is right and this badge should not be presented to anyone other than a past Mayor. Some lesser gift could be presented if this is a popular character.
Hi Rebecca
We have had a similar situation where the Deputy Mayor was not elected in the local elections, they did not receive a badge as it was decided that they had not carried out the amount of duties, attendance at events etc,. that the Mayor had.
It would be a logical fallacy to give someone who hasn’t been a Mayor, a Past Mayor’s badge. You’re right to say no.
When we had a Deputy Mayor who lost his seat at the elections, we bought him a small gift (from what I remember, we got him some good wine and his wife some flowers) in recognition of their support over the year.
Our former Lord Mayor badges are only for those that have served as the Lord Mayor. The Deputy Lord Mayor does undertake official duties but they are not expected to commit to the role as the same way as the Lord Mayor does. We have very little “shiny things” to give the Civic Head upon their retirement from the role so anything we do have should retain its special status.
You are right, do nothing. We present the outgoing Mayor with a new medal not a former Mayor’s medal or badge. Ironically, when we had an Elected Mayor and changed governance, they didnt want a medal and we contributed to his Hartlepool season ticket!
Hi Rebecca
In 2012 our DM lost her seat in the local elections. She decided not to continue with her civic engagements during the remainder of her term and didn’t wish to attend the Mayor Making ceremony (which I do understand). We therefore sent flowers home from memory. No gift was therefore presented, but I do agree that a PM badge wouldn’t have been appropriate.
Hope that’s helpful.
Sally
Thank you all for your responses which have been very helpful 
Kind regards
Rebecca