Mayoralty

The Mayor

Councillor Joan Grimshaw was elected to the Office of Mayor on Wednesday 16 May 2012. 

Mr Paul Grimshaw is the Mayor's Consort.

The Mayor has lived in Bury for 22 years.

The Mayor was born in Prestwich and has lived in Bury for most of her life.

The Mayor and the Mayor's Consort have been married for almost 51 years and have three grown-up children, five grandchildren and one great grandchild.

The Mayor was educated in Salford at Our Lady of Mount Carmel School

She worked as a nurse in the NHS before taking retirement in 2004.

She was elected as a Labour Councillor for the Pilkington Park Ward of Bury in 2002 and during the boundary changes in 2004 moved to Unsworth Ward where she has since continually represented the Ward.

During her period on the Council she has served on many Committees including Chair of the Local Area Partnership and Township Forum, Chair of External Scrutiny, Vice Chair of the Joint Mental Health and various other committees including adoption and corporate parenting.

The Mayor has served on the Governing Bodies of Castlebrook High School, St Bernadette's Primary School and Unsworth Primary School.

In the community the Mayor is Chair of the Hollins Village Community Association, Chair of the Hollins Village Community Association Bowling Club and has been Chair of the Elms Community Centre and Secretary.

The Mayor's Consort, Mr Paul Grimshaw, was born in Prestbury and educated in Ardwick at St Aloysius School, leaving school at 15 years of age to commence an apprenticeship in engineering. He eventually became Engineering Manager of one of Manchester's leading lifting fork manufacturers Kenor Products.

He subsequently started his own business which he ran for 15 years before retiring.

The Mayor's Consort has been involved in a wide range of pursuits and has helped and supported the Mayor throughout her political career.

The Mayoralty

The Mayor is the Council's First Citizen and is considered to be the representative of Her Majesty The Queen within the Local Authority's area.

The office of Mayor is the highest honour the Council can bestow upon a Member and reflects a high level of public service and the esteem, respect and regard in which the holders are held.

The Mayor holds a position of precedence over all persons within the borough, except in the direct presence of Her Majesty The Queen, Members of the Royal Family or Her Majesty's Lord Lieutenant.

The role and duties of The Mayor, which are undertaken on behalf of the Borough are varied and cover many aspects, but include:

• acting as an ambassador for the Borough;
• upholding civic pride;
• promoting the Borough;
• encouraging and supporting local industry, business and commerce;
• supporting local charities and community groups;
• representing the Council at civic, social, cultural, charitable, religious / faith and many other wide ranging functions and events;
• chairing Council meetings;
• receiving official visitors.

Attendance of the Mayor and the Mayoress at functions

Enquiries are frequently received regarding the procedure to be adopted at functions which the Mayor and the Mayoress are attending. With a view to enabling suitable arrangements to be made, the following information may be of assistance.

Description

The correct description for the purpose of printing is 'The Worshipful the Mayor of the Bury Metropolitan Borough' and when the Mayoress is also present 'The Worshipful the Mayor and the Mayoress of the Bury Metropolitan Borough'.

Method of address

Speakers should refer to the Mayor as 'Madam Mayor ' or 'Mr Mayor' and the Mayoress as 'Mayoress'.

Arrival

The Mayor and the Mayoress should be met immediately upon arrival and escorted, as soon as convenient, to the places reserved for them. If the Mayor and/or the Mayoress are asked to take part in a reception prior to the commencement of the function, then the Organisers should vary the arrival time accordingly.

Precedence

The Mayor shall have precedence over all persons within the Borough except in the presence of Her Majesty The Queen or a Representative of Her Majesty. Accordingly, the place reserved for the Mayor should be on the immediate right of the Chairman or other person residing. The Mayoress should be seated on the immediate right of the Mayor or on the left of the Chairman or person presiding.

When the Mayoress is attending unaccompanied by the Mayor, her seat should be in the position as indicated for the Mayor.

If the Mayor and / or the Mayoress are to be asked to speak at any function, particulars should be furnished in advance.

If you require further information in connection with the Mayoralty please contact the Mayor's Office, Town Hall, Knowsley Street, Bury, BL9 0SW, (telephone: 0161 253 5117).

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