Municipal year
Encyclopedia
The municipal year is a period used by local government
in the United Kingdom. It starts in early May because that was roughly when the New Year originally started
. It is not a fixed date so the number of days in any municipal year varies. It is the space of time between one round of local elections to the next. For most English councils, an unelected Mayor will take up their ceremonial office for a period of one municipal year only, though they may be re-appointed after an interval. In addition to dictating mayoral terms of office, the period is also used as a basis for many councils' scrutiny
and accountability
arrangements.
A few areas have opted by referendum to have directly elected Mayors, though they still tend to use the May–May municipal year as a convenient method of strategic planning
. The municipal year has been in use as a concept since at least 1555, and has also been used – very occasionally – by town councils in the United States, though much less so now.
Historically, in some English council areas, the beginning of a new municipal year took place in November, and was a traditional time for celebration and festivities. In Newcastle-under-Lyme
in the 19th century, the election was known as Mayor-choosing day, or clouting-out day, and was – according to one contemporary source, "the very Saturnalia
of play." Large-scale street games were played by children (imprisonment and subsequent rescue, or "clouting out", with knotted ropes, of young people was the source of the name), and the free distribution of apples and penny coins
were also customs. In the Irish city of Galway
, in the Middle Ages
, the newly appointed or -elected officers would, by convention, provide an enormous feast
for the town's "more distinguished citizens", while others took to the streets and made merry.
Local government
Local government refers collectively to administrative authorities over areas that are smaller than a state.The term is used to contrast with offices at nation-state level, which are referred to as the central government, national government, or federal government...
in the United Kingdom. It starts in early May because that was roughly when the New Year originally started
Lady Day
In the western Liturgical year, Lady Day is the traditional name of the Feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin in some English speaking countries. It is the first of the four traditional English quarter days. The "Lady" was the Virgin Mary. The term derives from Middle English, when some...
. It is not a fixed date so the number of days in any municipal year varies. It is the space of time between one round of local elections to the next. For most English councils, an unelected Mayor will take up their ceremonial office for a period of one municipal year only, though they may be re-appointed after an interval. In addition to dictating mayoral terms of office, the period is also used as a basis for many councils' scrutiny
Scrutiny
Scrutiny...
and accountability
Accountability
Accountability is a concept in ethics and governance with several meanings. It is often used synonymously with such concepts as responsibility, answerability, blameworthiness, liability, and other terms associated with the expectation of account-giving...
arrangements.
A few areas have opted by referendum to have directly elected Mayors, though they still tend to use the May–May municipal year as a convenient method of strategic planning
Strategic planning
Strategic planning is an organization's process of defining its strategy, or direction, and making decisions on allocating its resources to pursue this strategy. In order to determine the direction of the organization, it is necessary to understand its current position and the possible avenues...
. The municipal year has been in use as a concept since at least 1555, and has also been used – very occasionally – by town councils in the United States, though much less so now.
Historically, in some English council areas, the beginning of a new municipal year took place in November, and was a traditional time for celebration and festivities. In Newcastle-under-Lyme
Newcastle-under-Lyme
Newcastle-under-Lyme is a market town in Staffordshire, England, and is the principal town of the Borough of Newcastle-under-Lyme. It is part of The Potteries Urban Area and North Staffordshire. In the 2001 census the town had a population of 73,944...
in the 19th century, the election was known as Mayor-choosing day, or clouting-out day, and was – according to one contemporary source, "the very Saturnalia
Saturnalia
Saturnalia is an Ancient Roman festival/ celebration held in honour of Saturn , the youngest of the Titans, father of the major gods of the Greeks and Romans, and son of Uranus and Gaia...
of play." Large-scale street games were played by children (imprisonment and subsequent rescue, or "clouting out", with knotted ropes, of young people was the source of the name), and the free distribution of apples and penny coins
Penny (British pre-decimal coin)
The penny of the Kingdom of Great Britain and later of the United Kingdom, was in circulation from the early 18th century until February 1971, Decimal Day....
were also customs. In the Irish city of Galway
Galway
Galway or City of Galway is a city in County Galway, Republic of Ireland. It is the sixth largest and the fastest-growing city in Ireland. It is also the third largest city within the Republic and the only city in the Province of Connacht. Located on the west coast of Ireland, it sits on the...
, in the Middle Ages
Middle Ages
The Middle Ages is a periodization of European history from the 5th century to the 15th century. The Middle Ages follows the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 and precedes the Early Modern Era. It is the middle period of a three-period division of Western history: Classic, Medieval and Modern...
, the newly appointed or -elected officers would, by convention, provide an enormous feast
Feast
Feast may refer to:* Banquet, a large meal* A Festival or feria* Ramadan, Muslim's holy month* Nineteen Day Feast, a monthly meeting held in Bahá'í communities to worship, consult, and socialize....
for the town's "more distinguished citizens", while others took to the streets and made merry.
See also
- Local government in the United KingdomLocal government in the United KingdomThe pattern of local government in England is complex, with the distribution of functions varying according to the local arrangements. Legislation concerning local government in England is decided by the Parliament and Government of the United Kingdom, because England does not have a devolved...
- Local government in England
- Local government in Scotland
- Local government in Wales
- Local government in Northern IrelandLocal government in Northern IrelandNorthern Ireland is divided into 26 districts for local government purposes. In Northern Ireland local councils do not carry out the same range of functions as those in the rest of the United Kingdom, for example they have no responsibility for education, for road building or for housing...
- Academic year
- Fiscal year