THE political party which could get to choose York's next Lord Mayor has been named.
City of York Council's points system for choosing who holds the ceremonial office would give the opposition Liberal Democrat group the chance to put a candidate forward next year.
A council report stated the appointment of Lord Mayor was a fundamental part of the city's continuing historic traditions.
It added the process for choosing the candidate had to be as clear and simple as possible in the interests of transparency and to prevent disputes.
The council's executive is set to be asked whether or not to accept the current tally of points which each of the authority's political groups has on Tuesday, October 6.
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Parties accumulate points yearly based on the number of councillors they have.
They lose 47 points, equal to the total number of councillors on the authority, each time they choose the Lord Mayor.
Groups then have to wait until they have the most before being able to choose again.
The Liberal Democrats are set to have 52 points by the time the Lord Mayor for the 2027/8 municipal year is chosen in May next year.
Cllr Chris Cullwick, of Huntington and New Earswick ward, was York's last Liberal Democrat Lord Mayor and served from 2023 to 2024.
Labour, who chose current Lord Mayor Cllr Margaret Wells, are set to have 20.
The Conservatives, will be on 16 after their Osbaldwick and Derwent ward member Cllr Martin Rowley held the post from 2025 to May this year.
Cllr Mark Warters, the sole Restore Britain councillor on the authority, is currently on track to have minus 32 points.
If a party loses all its seats in a local election, it has its points tally frozen and starts collecting them again if its candidates are later voted back onto the council.
The council's annual general meeting (AGM) where the Lord Mayor is chosen is set to take place after next year's all-out local elections, which are scheduled for Thursday, May 6.
Nominees for Lord Mayor have to be serving councillors with at least four years' service on the authority.
The office of Lord Mayor dates back to 1217 and was first held by Hugh de Selby.
The council's report stated a formal announcement from the qualifying group is set to be made once they have decided among themselves on a candidate.
The report stated: "The appointment of the Lord Mayor in York is a fundamental part of the city's continuing historic traditions.
"The role of Lord Mayor is firmly enshrined in the council's constitution, as an ambassador for the city and its cultural and economic ambitions.
"As such, the appointee will play an active part in promoting all the council's priorities."
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