Council Debate - Mayoral Robes

At the Council meeting on Wednesday 21st November, the Tories lodged a motion stating the Mayor MUST wear mayoral robes on at least 9 events during the year.   Councillor Haynes expressed her view that it should always be the personal choice of the incoming Mayor and not imposed upon him or her.  Cllr Hardy asked the question would refusing to wear the robes preclude a Councillor from being Mayor but still awaits an answer.
In 1994 Cllr Steve Beilby became Mayor declining to wear the robes despite cries of insult!,  tradition etc from the then opposition.  But robeless, he still was a fantastic holder of the post   Since then Labour Councillors Owen, Kersh, Jackson,Sue Wright,  I. Taylor and Matthews have all held the role of Mayor and always been a very good ambassador of the Town without the need for Mayoral Robes    Unfortunately, the Tories, being in power, passed the motion with Labour opposing.   They even sought a recorded vote, despite having a majority, on the day of 9.