Mayor of Peterborough happy to continue until a new one can be elected

Peterborough usually elects a Mayor to serve for one year and Monday (June 1), should have seen the annual Mayor Making ceremony at the Town Hall, but due to the COVID-19 crisis no meetings are taking place there.

As all city council meetings are taking place online, the ceremony to appoint a new Mayor has been postponed to a date yet to be decided.

Cllr Nawaz said: “Even though this has been a most busy mayoral year for me and I have attended many functions, including formal civic events and the full meetings of the council, I understand that we are living through unprecedented times, and so I am happy and honoured to remain Mayor of Peterborough until a new Mayor is elected.”

Cllr Nawaz’s grandaughter Amreen will remain as Mayoress and Cllr Diane Lamb (Con. Wittering), will remain Deputy Mayor.

Cllr Nawaz arrived in Peterborough from Kashmir at the age of 13, attending Eastholm Secondary School, before joining Barron-Clark Steel.

He has always worked in Peterborough for various private and public sector organisations, including Peterborough District Hospital.

He added:“I apply my commitment and passion to all the community work that I do, and I try to ensure that Peterborough residents get the best service possible from their council.”

Although the powers of the Mayor of Peterborough have diminished over time, the role has retained its importance. The Mayor has social and legal precedence in all places within the city unless HM the Queen or her personal representative, a close member of the Royal Family or the Lord Lieutenant is present.

The Mayor also has a key democratic role to play, acting as a politically impartial chairman of the council and making sure that proper conduct takes place in the chamber during its meetings, but the Mayor does not take part in debate or vote, except to break ties.

The Mayor’s charities for 2019/2020 were: Little Miracles, Carers Trust Peterborough and Friends of Peterborough Hospitals and are expected to remain the same for the duration of his term of office.