The mayoralty is customarily awarded to the most senior councillor of one of the political groups The incumbent mayor of Colchester - from late May 2014 - is Cllr Lesley Scott-Boutell (Liberal Democrats) Colchester's mayor from October 2020 was Councillor Robert Davison, a Conservative.
The Mace, carried by the Town Serjeant on ceremonial occasions and into the council chamber, is the symbol of that authority.
The mayoralty is customarily awarded to the most senior councillor of one of the political groups, who take it in turn.
The annual ceremony of the installation of a new mayor takes place each May, following the borough council elections.
The council, officers and members of the public gather in the Moot Hall to welcome the incoming mayor who takes the oath administered by the Town Clerk.