Row over mayoral robes to be debated by council

Councillors will decide if mayoral robes should be brought back in Worthing after they were scrapped last summer as part of a modernisation and inclusivity plan.

Labour leaders of Worthing Borough Council removed ceremonial robes from meetings and public events saying their formality can “deter” some people from engaging in local democracy.

But Conservative councillors said the last 10 months have been a “dark stain” on the town’s history and the lack of robes at Remembrance Day was an “insult” to local veterans.

Calls for the immediate reintroduction of robes will be debated at an extraordinary meeting at Worthing Town Hall on Tuesday evening.

Until July 2023 the town's mayors would wear robes to chair full council meetings and carry out public appointments, but now wear only the mayoral badge and chains of office.

All councillors would wear ceremonial robes at the annual council meeting and the Remembrance Day service.

Leader of the opposition Kevin Jenkins, who called the motion, said: “Discarding the use of the mayoral robes at the annual Remembrance Parade ceremony was an insult to those who had served, been lost, had returned from service and those that still suffer from their injuries today.

“Tradition was broken and the enduring bond between the council and the veterans was fractured.”

Worthing’s robes date back to 1890 and are lined with Russian sable fur.

The second part of the motion calls for an alternative gown to be considered that does not contain animal fur.

The Conservative group said any alteration of the current robes would be “tantamount to historical vandalism” because they are “a historical record, legacy and artefact of the town”.

Worthing Borough Council leader Dr Rebecca Cooper said: “The Worthing Labour Group is committed to continually listen to its residents about what is important to them. We recognise that there are differing views across our communities about the wearing of mayoral robes.

“We will therefore keep this matter under review, whilst acknowledging that this is a small part of our council work and we must concentrate our efforts on addressing the housing crisis and cost of living issues that are blighting so many people's lives.”

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