The Charter Trustees for the City of Durham convened for their annual meeting on Wednesday 3 June 2026. The agenda included the election of a new Mayor and Deputy Mayor, the appointment of various civic officers, and a review of future meeting dates.

Election of Mayor and Deputy Mayor

A significant portion of the meeting was scheduled to focus on the ceremonial aspects of leadership within the Charter Trustees. This included the formal election of the Mayor and the appointment of a Deputy Mayor. Following these elections, the newly appointed Mayor was to receive the Seal of Office and make a Declaration of Acceptance. The agenda also outlined the Mayor's Acceptance Speech, the presentation of Past Mayor/Mayoress Jewels by the retiring Mayor/Mayoress, and an address by the Retiring Mayor. A vote of thanks to the Retiring Mayor and Mayoress was also scheduled.

Appointment of Civic Officers

The meeting was also set to address the appointment of several key civic officers. These included the Pant Master, Mr James Lee; the Billet Master, Superintendent Andrea Arthur of Durham Constabulary; the Macebearer, Mr David Baker; the Swordbearer, Mr Tom Dixon; the Recorder, Mr Mac Williams; and the Mayor's Chaplain, The Very Reverend Dr Philip Plyming, the Dean of Durham.

Future Meeting Schedule

The Clerk to the Charter Trustees, Jennifer Rogers, presented a report outlining the proposed dates for future meetings of the Charter Trustees for the City of Durham for the municipal year 2026/27. The report recommended that the Charter Trustees agree to these dates. The scheduled meetings were planned to commence at 11:30 am, following County Council meetings, with the exception of a meeting on Wednesday 24 June 2026 at 2:00 pm, as there was no County Council meeting in June. Other proposed meeting dates included Wednesday 21 October 2026, Wednesday 9 December 2026, Wednesday 27 January 2027, and Wednesday 24 March 2027.

Previous Meeting Minutes and Mayoral Announcements

The meeting was also scheduled to review the minutes from the previous meeting held on 28 January 2026. Additionally, there was an item for Mayor's Announcements, providing an opportunity for the Mayor to share any relevant information.

Other Scheduled Business

The agenda also included prayers, apologies for absence, recording of proceedings, and the presentation of Mayoral Service Medals. The swearing-in of new Members of the Mayoral Bodyguard was also listed.

The report pack also contained minutes from a previous meeting of the Charter Trustees held on 28 January 2026. During that meeting, the Trustees considered a report regarding Honorary Alderman arrangements. The eligibility criteria for Honorary Aldermen to attend civic events, as agreed in 2018, were discussed. Specifically, it was noted that Honorary Aldermen who had served 14 years representing the old Durham City area were eligible to participate in ceremonial events. Councillor Amanda Hopgood sought clarification on whether recognition by the Charter Trust would involve adding names to the Alderman board in the Town Hall and the wearing of red robes at ceremonial events. The Clerk advised that sufficient robes were already available. The Trustees resolved to recognise Alderman R Ormerod, A Simpson, D Stoker, P Taylor, and Alderwoman J Chaplow.

Furthermore, the Charter Trustees considered a report seeking approval of the Risk Assessment for the Charter Trustees for the City of Durham. It was noted that a previous version of the Risk Assessment had been considered by the Council's Internal Audit team, who had highlighted weaknesses. A revised Risk Assessment was submitted, which, while not introducing new risks or controls, presented information in a new format detailing the scoring of risks and evidence of compliance. The evaluation of Civic Assets had been completed, and the insurance asset register updated accordingly. The Trustees resolved to approve the Risk Assessment.