Harrogate mayor-making ceremony cost reviewed

The leader of a North Yorkshire council has said the cost of the annual mayor-making ceremony is to be scrutinised after the last event cost £5,000.

Harrogate council's Conservative leader Don Mackenzie said the mayor and deputy mayor provided "excellent value".

But he added the council will "look at the cost of the mayoralty in general".

The mayor-making meal cost taxpayers £4,827.14 last year, with the 2011 event at a similar level.

'Dignified manner'

The authority is facing a budget cut of almost 17% this year cuts to services.

Mr Mackenzie said: "We'll look at the cost of the mayoralty in general and especially the cost of the annual meeting during the course of looking at our budget for the next year."

"Clearly, it is a civic occasion and has to be done in a dignified manner.

"Members (of the council) do realise this is an expensive exercise, so much so that many members, myself included, paid for our own tickets and the tickets of our guests.

"Because we are mindful of the costs we shall look again this year at how we stage the event next year."