Chapter 2: Other Provision Alternative mayoral titles New section 9HF: alternative mayoral titles
This new section introduces a new power to allow local authorities, by resolution, to change the title by which the elected mayor of the authority is to be known as outlined below.
	Section 9HF(1) sets out the alternative titles by which the mayor for the authority could be known. Paragraph (1)e gives authorities the power to resolve to choose a title other than those listed in paragraphs (a) to (d) providing they have regard to the title of other public office holders in the area of the authority.
	Subsection (2) sets out the requirements that must be met in relation to the resolution to change the title by which the mayor is to be known, namely that a resolution must be considered at a relevant meeting of the authority; the details of the resolution must be included in the published details of the meeting; where the resolution includes a title chosen by the local authority under (1)(e), the resolution must specify why the local authority considers this more appropriate than the other alternative titles mentioned in subsection (1); and the voting requirements needed to pass the resolution.
	Section 9HF(3)(a) defines the meaning of ‘relevant meeting’ in the case of a local authority within subsection (8)(a) as the first meeting of the local authority held after a qualifying mayoral election. A qualifying election means an election that isn’t the first mayoral election for the local authority or an election that has taken place due to the mayor being unable to act as mayor anymore.
	Section 9HF (3)(b) defines the meaning of 'relevant meeting’ in the case of a local authority within subsection (8)(b) as the meeting of the authority at which the resolution under section 9KC (resolution of local authority) is passed.
	Section 9HF(3)(c) defines the meaning in the case of a local authority within subsection (8)(c), as the first meeting of the local authority held after the referendum mentioned in section 9N is held.
	Subsection (4) applies the power in subsections (5) and (6) when a local authority changes the title by which the mayor for the local authority is to be known to an alternative title. If the local authority decides to retain the title of mayor, then these subsections will not apply.
	Subsection (5) requires the local authority to send notice of the change of title to the Secretary of State who may then direct the local authority to publish the name change in a way of his choosing. It also places a requirement on the local authority to publish the notice in the area of the local authority in a manner it considers appropriate. Subsection (6) makes provision that where the title of mayor appears in legislation and the title of mayor has been changed then the new title is read in the legislation instead of mayor.
	Subsection (7) which has the effect that where legal proceedings involving the mayor have begun, or where someone wishes to bring legal proceedings against the mayor, these can still proceed if there has been a name change.
	Subsection (8) defines which local authorities fall within this subsection.
	Subsection (9) gives the Secretary of State the power to amend by regulations subsection (1) by adding, modifying or removing a reference to an alternative title or a description of an alternative title.
	Subsection (11) makes this section subject to section 9HG.