Provost (civil) facts for kids
A Provost is a special title for the main leader of a local government in Scotland. It's a bit like being a mayor in other countries.
In Scotland, there are 32 local councils. The Provost is often the person chosen by the council members to lead their meetings. They also represent the council at important events. While the official law might call them a "convenor," many councils choose to use the title "Provost."
However, in the big cities of Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, and Glasgow, the leader is called a Lord Provost. This title is set by law. The Lord Provost also has another important job, acting as the King's representative for that area.
The word "Provost" comes from the old French word prévôt. This word has roots even further back, in the Roman Empire. In the past, a Provost was the main judge or leader in Scotland's old towns called burghs. Today, the title is used in many different local groups.
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What is a Provost?
A Provost is the main leader or chairperson of a local council in Scotland. Think of them as the "first citizen" of their area. They are similar to a mayor in other parts of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland.
Before 1900, different towns used various names for their leaders. But a law passed in 1900 made "Provost, magistrates, and councillors" the standard name for a town's governing body. After a big change in local government in 1975, only the cities of Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, and Glasgow kept the title of Lord Provost. Other councils could choose their own title. Many chose "Provost."
In 1996, Scotland's 32 current local council areas were created. Each council's members choose one person to lead their meetings. This person is usually called a "convenor" or a "Provost."
What a Provost Does
As the civic head of a council, the Provost has several important jobs. They lead council meetings, making sure everything runs smoothly. They also represent the council at special events and ceremonies. This means they often welcome important visitors or attend local celebrations.
There's an organization called the Scottish Provosts Association. It was started in 2014 for Provosts and other civic leaders across Scotland.
A Provost or convenor gets a higher salary than a regular council member. The amount they are paid depends on the size and budget of their council. Councils are placed into different groups, and the salary changes based on which group they are in.
How a Provost is Chosen
The Provost is chosen by the other elected members of the council. After an election for new council members, the very first thing they do is pick a convenor (or Provost) and a deputy convenor from among themselves. This person will then lead all future council meetings.
Provosts in Community Councils
Besides the main local councils, there are also community councils in Scotland. These groups represent the interests of local communities. Some of these community councils cover areas that used to be old burghs. Because of this history, several community councils have chosen to call their chairperson a "Provost."
For example, in 2019, the Royal Burgh of St Andrews Community Council brought back the title of Provost for its chairman. This was for special duties and ceremonies, especially as they prepared to celebrate 400 years since King James VI & I gave them "Royal Burgh" status in 1620.
Chains of Office
Provosts often wear special chains of office. These are usually valuable pieces of jewelry. They often show the council's coat of arms or other symbols of their authority. These chains are worn during official events and ceremonies.
See also
- Provost (disambiguation)
- Provost marshal
