A MAYOR has launched a stinging attack on proposals to let councillors from outside his city succeed him in assuming the historic title.

Councillor Grenville Holland, the Mayor of Durham, said the move was politically motivated and would bring the new County Durham unitary council into disrepute.

Durham County Council’s cabinet yesterday recommended handing powers to appoint the mayor to Charter Trustees – councillors from across the county.

It means future mayors could hail from Seaham, Newton Aycliffe or Barnard Castle.

The title of the mayor of Durham dates back more than 400 years.

Durham City Council, which currently appoints the mayor, will be replaced, along with the county’s six other districts and county council, by a unitary authority in April.

Coun Holland said: “In seeking to remove control for the future of the Mayoralty of Durham away from the people of Durham City, you will bring this embryonic unitary authority into disrepute.

“The city of Durham is 900 years old and it carries with it many traditions that cannot simply be bandied around as the political playball of some modern institution.

“To draw trustees from the whole membership of the incoming unitary council, thereby involving members with little or no connection with our city, is clearly politically driven and divisive.

“Such a Machiavellian approach to the future of Durham City will be seen by the people of Durham for what it is and, to repeat, it will bring this infant authority into disrepute.”

Coun Holland, a Lib Dem, accused the Labour-led county council of proposing a countywide selection for political reasons.

The Lib Dems hold 15 of the 22 council seats in Durham City, but countywide Labour has a majority.

Councillor Nigel Martin, the Lib Dem leader, said: “I see no reason, apart from sheer political power and vindictiveness, to move in the way suggested.”

Councillor Simon Henig, Labour leader of the county council, said: “I don’t think it’s right to say members outside Durham City have no regard for Durham City.

“I think we all have high regard for the history and traditions of Durham City.”

The cabinet agreed to transfer the power to appoint the Mayor of Sedgefield to Sedgefield Town Council. A consultation on whether to create a Durham town council is ongoing, but a conclusion is several months away.

Coun Henig said if a Durham town council was established, the issue of the mayor should be discussed again.