The Mayor

The Mayor for 2008-09 is Councillor John Fletcher. The Mayoress is Councillor Mrs Suzanne Fletcher MBE; the Deputy Mayor is Councillor Paul Kirton and the Deputy Mayoress is Mrs Mary Kirton

The Mayor of Stockton-on-Tees is the first citizen of the Borough and speaks on behalf of the area and its community. The Mayor is also a member of the Council elected by fellow Councillors. The Mayor's term of office is one year, with elections taking place at the Annual Meeting of the Council each spring. A Deputy Mayor is also elected to assist in civic duties and to take the Mayor's place when the Mayor is not available.

Both the Mayor and the Deputy Mayor choose a Mayoress (or, in the case of a female Mayor, a Consort) to support them in their duties.

Civic Duties:- As first citizen, the Mayor acts as Chair of the regular meetings of the full Council and holds a casting vote at these meetings.

The Mayor receives many invitations to events and occasions throughout the Borough and will attend literally hundreds of these during the year. He or she welcomes royal visitors to the Borough and is often called upon to greet other visitors at the request of schools or other organisations.

The Mayor attends a number of annual functions, including the Annual Meeting and Installation, an annual community prayer service (Mayor's Sunday) and the annual civic ball (which raises money for charity). The Mayor takes a formal salute at parades to mark the Battle of Britain and Remembrance Sunday.

The Mayor's official charities for 2008 - 2009 are Daisy Chain and Justice First.