THE international profile of one of York’s most historic roles is set to be raised in the hope it will boost the city’s economic prospects.

Changes to City of York Council’s constitution are expected to be made this week to pave the way for the Lord Mayor of York to take on an enhanced role as a cultural and business ambassador within Yorkshire, across the UK and abroad.

It comes after the authority set up a review group to look at how the mayoral position can be used as a focal point of the city’s image nationally and internationally. The potential of the Mansion House staging more events and attracting increased sponsorship have also come under its remit.

Following discussions with past mayors, a report will go before the council’s audit and governance committee this week, recommending altering the organisation’s constitution so the Lord Mayor’s responsibilities include a new official ambassadorial function.

It will also tie the mayoral position closer to the council’s own corporate strategy, which sets out its aims for the coming years, and to supporting local businesses and tourism initiatives.

The report’s author, Dawn Steel, wrote: “The Lord Mayor and Civic Party have instrumental roles to play in promoting the ambitions of the council’s corporate strategy, as ambassadors for the city and the council.

“Specifically, the Lord Mayor offers support to cultural life in the city, to promoting inclusivity and to supporting a thriving business economy, acting as an ambassador in supporting new business economic opportunities.”

She said the proposed changes were also designed to bring the profile of Lord Mayor more “up-to-date”, and formal roles should also be included for the Deputy Lord Mayor and Sheriff of York.

Mayoral trips are usually arranged at no cost to taxpayers, although controversy flared earlier this year when the volcanic ash cloud left former Lord Mayor John Galvin and an aide stranded in China and almost £6,000 of public money was used to fly them back.