Mayor of Surrey Heath

Pat Ross
Mayor's Secretary

Tel: 01276 707533
Pat.Ross@surreyheath.gov.uk

Surrey Heath House,
Knoll Road,
Camberley,
Surrey GU15 3HD

Mayor of Surrey Heath Councillor Alan Whittart became Surrey Heath's 36th Mayor at the Borough Council's Annual Meeting on Wednesday, 14 May 2008. First elected to the Council in 1993 to represent the Frimley Green Ward, he has served continuously since that time.

Councillor Whittart has served on most of the Council's Committees, and was Shadow Leisure Portfolio Holder, becoming affectionately known as "The Shadow". During his time as a Councillor he has been very influential in a number of positive outcomes for the residents of Surrey Heath.

Councillor Whittart has also served as PTA Chairman at Cross Farm School and Frimley C of E Junior School, Vice Chair of Governors at Frimley C of E Junior School, Manager of Frimley Green and Mytchett Cub Scout Football Team (a post that lasted for 18 years), Chairman and Treasurer of Surrey Heath Cub Football League (24 years), Chairman of Frimley Green Youth Centre Management Committee, Chairman of Governors at France Hill School, President of Frimley Green and Mytchett Scout Group, President of Mytchett Athletic Football Club, Coach of the 'Mean Machine' football team.

Councillor Whittart joined the London Fire Brigade in 1967 and was posted to the Brigade's 'D' Division where he served for twenty-five years until a back injury, sustained at a major factory fire, forced him into early retirement in 1991. Following rehabilitation, Councillor Whittart joined the Education Welfare Service of Surrey Education Service. Cllr Whittart is a trainer for Child Protection courses and an active member of the Community Incident Action Group and the Camberley Retail Crime Initiative; all areas that seek to protect and support young people.

Councillor Whittart is married to Jan who will support him as Mayoress in his mayoral duties. They have two daughters, Samantha and Michelle, and two grandchildren, Chloe and Madalyn.

The Mayor will be raising money for all sorts of good causes in the Borough during his term of office, and aims to support voluntary groups and local charities.

Councillor Whittart is delighted to have the opportunity to serve as Mayor of the Borough of Surrey Heath and looks forward to a challenging and rewarding year.

Historical Information
The word "Mayor" and "Major" derive from the same Latin word, Magnus, meaning great. The office of Mayor, together with the Domesday Book and the feudal system, were brought to this country by the Normans as such an office had existed on the continent at least since the fifth century.

The office of Head of the Corporation is as old as the particular Borough itself, but in many towns the name of "Mayor" for this official is, comparatively speaking, an innovation which was introduced by the Municipal Corporation Act 1835.

1199 The first "Mayor Town" in England, Thetford, established (although the City of London Mayoralty dates from 1192).

Middle Ages Position similar in many ways to that of today, ie acknowledged as "First Citizen" of the town. The Mayor would normally preside in the Borough's civil and criminal courts.

Tudor The powers of the Mayor as Chief Magistrate (sometimes the sole Magistrate) greatly increased. Magistrates in this period were the "maids of all work" and, as a result, their personal importance was expanded.

17th Century In many Boroughs the Mayor had become all-powerful.

19th Century The Mayor could be the centre of all political activity with the terms of office lasting often two to four years. The political role of the Mayor, rather than the social and ceremonial role, was more important in this era than it is today.

20th Century The political role of the Mayor diminishes and the social and ceremonial role becomes more emphasised.

It was not until 1974 that it became compulsory for Mayors to be selected from members of the Council.