Agenda item

To consider the date of Common Hall for the Election of Lord Mayor in 2019.

Policy and Resources Committee

(Catherine McGuinness, Deputy)

15 March 2018

Common Hall: Election of Lord Mayor 2019

The dates of Common Hall are fixed as Midsummers’ Day (for the election of Sheriffs) and Michaelmas Day (for the election of Lord Mayor). Provision exists to vary these dates in the event that either falls on a Saturday or Sunday, in which case the relevant Common Hall is moved to the Monday immediately following.

There is also, however, provision within Acts of Common Council to reschedule Common Hall in the event that it falls on the same date as a major religious festival, provided a notice period of at least one year is provided. It had been observed that the Election of Lord Mayor in 2019 was to fall on the same date as Rosh Hashanah, a significant Jewish religious festival; consequently, there was scope for the provisions of the relevant Act of Common Council to be invoked and the date to be moved. In the event that it was determined that the election should be moved, a formal resolution by the Court of Common Council was required.

Responsibility for overseeing arrangements for Common Hall rested with the Livery Committee, which had been consulted and has confirmed it would endorse such a rescheduling, should this be the will of the Court of Common Council. The Policy and Resources Committee and General Purposes Committee of Aldermen had also endorsed this position. It was therefore recommended that the election of Lord Mayor in 2019 be moved to Wednesday 2 October.

Resolved – That the election of Lord Mayor in 2019 should be moved to Wednesday 2 October, to avoid a clash with Rosh Hashanah.