COUNCILLORS are set to recommend the appointment of a new mayor for the next civic year.

At its meeting next Monday, the mayoral selection committee will recommend the appointment of Labour’s Cllr Graham Friend, the current deputy mayor, as mayor for the 2023-24 civic year.

He will take over from Labour’s Cllr Jean Flaherty, the current mayor.

Members are also recommended to agree which political party is to nominate the mayor for 2024-25.

The role of the committee is to recommend to council the nomination for the office of mayor and deputy mayor.

The positions are agreed at the annual meeting of the council in May.

Cllr Friend will become the mayor for 2023-24 at the annual meeting in May 2023, having been elected as deputy mayor at the annual meeting in May 2022.

A report to the committee says: “The 2024-25 civic year will be the first of a new council term following all out elections in May 2024 however the current proportionality from the 2021-24 council term will be used in order to allocate this position.

“The mayoral position for the 2025-26 civic year will be appointed to using the proportionality calculations for the new council term from 2024-2028.

“The committee is invited to consider its nomination to full council for the appointment of mayor for the 2024-25 civic year as per the agreed conventions and proportionality calculations set out in the above report.

“The protocol for selection of the mayor and deputy mayor is just that, a protocol.

“The committee is recommended to consider the protocol but is not bound by it if they consider there is reason to depart from it.

“Similarly, when the selection of the mayor is considered at full council there is no obligation either to follow the protocol and/or accept the recommendation put forward by this committee.”