Until Middlesbrough Council became one of the first in the country to have a directly elected Mayor, the Council Suite was probably better known as the 'Mayor's Parlour'.

The Council Suite was completely refurbished in 2001 for the first time in more than 40 years. It is decorated throughout with modern but elegant furniture, and combines a working office with a corporate hospitality function on behalf of the council and the people of Middlesbrough.

The Council Suite therefore serves two main purposes.

Firstly, it is part of the office where the Chair works. The role of the Chair is described more fully in the Chair of the Council, but is essentially:

• acting as the ceremonial figurehead of the council and the town;
• presiding over meetings of the full council;
• acting as the representative of the community in relation to royal and other ceremonial visits and functions, and leading the community in respect of civic duties;
• working for the general well-being of the community;
• developing links between the council and community groups, schools, voluntary and charitable sector, and overseas (especially in relation to town twinning activities).

Secondly, many of the above activities require meetings with local residents, with business people, dignitaries from other areas and other countries, and the hosting of royal visitors. All of these hospitality functions take place in the Council Suite.