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Home chevron_right Council and democracy chevron_right Civic and ceremonial chevron_right The council chamber

The council chamber

Middlesbrough's council chamber is in the Town Hall. The room is decorated with a rich-toned oak. At the east and west ends of the room, there are two handsome Baronial-style chimney pieces made of polished Carlisle marble. The hoods are supported by two Frosterley marble columns.

The council chamber has a glass roof, but this has been covered for protection. Light also comes from a large, handsome oriel window. In the top of the window is a jubilee portrait of Queen Victoria, and on the right and left are the arms of the County of York and of the borough.

One of the finest features of the chamber is the seating for councillors, which is made of dark oak. The general public are seated on divan seats around the room.

Before council meetings, the Middlesbrough mace is placed in front of the Chair of the Council, with the crown of the mace pointing to the party in control.

Directly above the Chair of the Council's chair is a battle-torn flag, which was presented by the 9th Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment. It hangs in a place of honour to remember the courage of Middlesbrough volunteers who fought during the First World War. The Yorkshire Regiment requested that the flag is not restored, but is instead left to slowly deteriorate.

Middlesbrough's historic wood-panelled council chamber