Civic protocol
If members of the Civic Party are attending your event, preparations must consider protocol for:
- the Civic Party arrival at your event
- arrangements for civic support staff
- full titles and announcement of civic heads
- preparing and delivering speeches
- seating and precedence
- toast list and agenda details
- church services
Civic Party arrival at your event
The Lord Mayor, Lady Mayoress, Sheriff and Sheriff’s Consort will be escorted to the event by a Civic Support Officer or Civic Chauffeur.
You should arrange for the Civic Party to be met and escorted to their positions by a responsible person, who should also be available to the Civic Party throughout the event.
Please ensure that you have fully briefed the Civic Party about the duties they'e expected to perform.
When the Lord Mayor enters or leaves any formal event, those present should stand; this is not always possible due to the nature of less formal events.
Arrangements for civic support staff
When providing full details about your event you must include information about:
- facilities for parking
- refreshments
- start time, waiting time, anticipated end time
Full titles and announcement of civic heads
When announcing civic heads, please use the following full titles:
- “The Right Honourable, the Lord Mayor of York, The Reverend Councillor Chris Cullwick”
- “The Sheriff of York, Sue Hunter"
Verbal address
When verbally addressing civic heads, please use the following titles:
- “Lord Mayor”
- “Lady Mayoress”
- “Sheriff”
- “Sheriff’s Consort”
Seating and precedence
In accordance with the Local Government Act 1972, the Lord Mayor shall have precedence in the city, but not so as to prejudicially affect his Majesty’s prerogative.
Accordingly, subject to this proviso, the place to be reserved for the Lord Mayor should be on the immediate right of the Chairman or other person presiding. The Lady Mayoress may be seated on the immediate right of the Lord Mayor, or on the left of the Chairman.
Preparing and delivering speeches
In the event of a speech by any member of the Civic Party, full details of the function and background information on the organisation concerned should be supplied to the Civic Office.
Toast list and agenda details
A copy of an event Toast List and/or agenda details showing the order of proceedings must be supplied.
If the Lord Mayor is to speak, their toast or reply should appear on the toast list.
Religious and church services
If any member of the Civic Party is to read a lesson, details must be sent to the Civic Office, in large print.
