History of the Mayor

There have been almost 400 mayors of Derby - the Derby Civic Office has a longer history than any other local government in Derbyshire.

The City of Derby’s right to appoint a mayor was granted by King Charles I following a visit to the town in 1632. The Great Mace bears his initials “C R” for Carolus Rex, and the badge at the bottom of the mayoral chain is hallmarked 1638.

Mayors of Derby have been appointed every year since 1638, despite many changes to the electoral system and the system of local government.

The Municipal Corporations Act 1835 reformed local government, thus the role of the Mayor was revised. From that date they were referred to as “The Modern Mayors of Derby” and are listed on the wall-plaque on the ceremonial stairs. A book of portraits of the “Modern Mayors” exists in the Mayor’s Parlour.

In 1889, Derbyshire County Council was established however Derby retained unitary powers as a county borough.

A major reorganisation of local government took place in 1974 and Derby lost many of its powers including education, highways, and social services to Derbyshire County Council, based in Matlock. A shadow Derby District Council was elected in 1973 with a chairman and no mayor. This body petitioned the government for borough status and the right to appoint a mayor. The Letters Patent and Royal Seal of the Borough of Derby is framed on the wall of the Mayor’s Parlour. A significant provision of that document is that the powers previously held by the Mayor of Derby, were thenceforth vested in the Council as a whole. This means that any ancient powers of the Mayor are now to be exercised by the Council.

From 1974, nominees for mayors had to be serving members of the Council, which had not always been the case historically. Mayors retain office for the municipal year whether they remain an elected councillor or not, and irrespective of political control of the Council. Mayors were appointed as Chief Magistrate and retained the letters “JP” when they left office, a practice which also ceased in 1974.

Following a further petition to the Government, city status was conferred in person by Queen Elizabeth II on 28 July 1977 in her silver jubilee year by Letters Patent which are also kept in the Mayor’s Parlour.

The Worshipful Mayor of the Borough of Derby became The Right Worshipful Mayor of the City of Derby.

The Mayor of the City of Derby is our community’s First Citizen. The people of Derby hold the Office of the Mayor in the highest esteem. That respect is afforded to the Office of the Mayor, not necessarily the person currently holding it.