Wakefield mayor to stay in post until 2021 as handover ceremony cancelled

Mayor Charlie Keith with deputy mayor Tracey Austin at last year's civic ceremony.

Charlie Keith was due to hand over the title to his deputy, Tracey Austin, on Thursday after 12 months in the job.

But Wakefield Council says there will be no change this year because of the coronavirus crisis.

The post is normally rotated between councillors every May, with the members from the council's controlling party nominating someone for the job.

It carries no decision-making powers and is normally focused around charity work and attending civic events.

The mayor does, however, get to chair full council meetings and is expected to remain politically neutral for the whole year, regardless of the party they were elected to represent.

Coun Keith selected the Macular Degeneration Society as his chosen charity when he was appointed mayor in 2019.

The part-time hospital radio DJ has also been running an ongoing 'Mayor says thanks' programme, to salute Wakefield's unsung heroes.

Local Democracy Reporting Service