Who is the Mayor of Taunton, how much is she paid and what events does she attend?

The role of Mayor of Taunton is an institution in the town - but what exactly does she do?

Councillor Francesca Smith was elected mayor of Taunton in June, becoming the first mayor since the creation of the new Somerset West and Taunton Council.

Because the local council also has a ceremonial chair - Councillor Hazel Prior-Sankey - it can get confusing as to where their responsibilities lie when it comes to representing the town and wider district at public events.

Fortunately, the Taunton Charter Trustees - a group of councillors representing the unparished area of Taunton - have agreed a new "civic protocol" which should clear things up:

What is the role of the council chair?

Councillor Hazel Prior Sankey (Lib Dem, Blackbrook And Holway) (Image: Somerset West and Taunton Council)

Ms Prior-Sankey has five main duties in her role as chair:

Promote district-wide initiatives and encourage public participation in the council's activities
Hosting high-profile business and political visitors
Attend events of "regional, national or international significance"
Attend activities aimed at enhancing the district's economic, social or environmental well-being
Be "the conscience of the council" - including when chairing full council meetings

What about the mayor?

Councillor Francesca Smith, New Mayor Of Taunton (Image: Somerset West and Taunton Council)

The mayor represents the unparished area of Taunton - specifically she represents "the town, the community and local democracy".

Ms Smith can use her office to raise money for specific charities, celebrate success in the town, "be the face of the town in times of sadness" and welcome visitors.

Her official responsibilities are as follows:

Upholding the town charter and preserving the town's historic rights and privileges (e.g. mayoral regalia)
Presiding over meeting of the Taunton Charter Trustees
Encouraging citizenship and participation in Taunton activities
Promoting the town at public functions

So, who takes precedence?

While the mayor is "the first citizen of Taunton", the council chair takes precedence for events or matters affecting the entire district.

The only exceptions would be events involving either a member of the royal family, the Lord Lieutenant, or the High Sheriff within Taunton town.

What kind of events does the mayor of Taunton attend?

Chard and Taunton Mayors join Michael Eavis to celebrate the seventh birthday of Musgrove Park Hosptial's mobile chemotherapy unit

The mayor is a non-political role - the mayor is there to represent Taunton, not the interests or views of whichever party they belonged to when they were elected.

A typically productive mayor will attend between 200 and 300 official engagements each year, which include the following:

Charity and volunteering events (including for those charities the mayor is supporting)
Civic receptions (where hospitality is provided to those visiting the town)
Flag-raising ceremonies and tributes (e.g. Armed Forces Day, Emergency Services Day, Commonwealth Day)
Civic visits from twinned towns (which take place as part of a wider programme for official visits from Taunton's twin towns in France and Germany)
Church services and Christmas carols (including Remembrance Sunday in November and the mayor's carol concert in December)
Festival launches, sporting events and school activities (e.g. stage productions)

How much does the mayor get paid?

The mayor receives an annual allowance of £2,930 - with the deputy mayor getting £1,570 for their time. (Image: Getty)

The short answer is: not much. This is a role you do for the love of Taunton, not for the financial reward.

As agreed by the trustees at a meeting on Wednesday (August 7), the mayor receives an annual allowance of £2,930 - with the deputy mayor getting £1,570 for their time.

You can claim monthly travel expenses at 45p per mile, but this comes with the expectation that the mayor will drive themselves to events wherever possible.

Where alternative transport arrangements are needed (e.g. train travel), it is expected the cheapest option should always be selected.

How do I get to be mayor?

To become mayor, you must first become a district councillor. So unless you're standing in the Vivary ward by-election to replace Councillor Catherine Herbert, your next opportunity for that will be in May 2023.

If you are elected to a seat in the Taunton area, you automatically become a charter trustee, purely by virtue of representing part of the unparished area.

But to be nominated as mayor, you must have served at least three years either on Somerset West and Taunton Council or its predecessor, Taunton Deane Borough Council.

If you want to be deputy mayor, you must have served at least two years.