“We are both conscious of the auspicious footsteps in which we follow, and are immensely grateful to the City Council for this great opportunity, which we look forward to fulfilling to the very best of our abilities.”

Labour Coun Chauhdry Rashid, who has served as Lord Mayor for the last 12 months, will be Deputy for the next year.

Coun Michael Wilkes, a Professor Emeritus of the University of Birmingham and Liberal Democrat councillor for Hall Green, has been one of the most forensic examiners of council policy.

But with a new ceremonial role to play he will no longer be able to publicly challenge city leaders over the running of the city.

His four charities for this year are St Basil’s for homeless youngsters, women’s educational charity WAITS (Women Acting in Today’s Society),

Pancreatic Cancer Research and the newly established The Lord Mayor’s Engineering Scholarship to support young engineering students.