Chairman of the Council

The Chairman is the First Citizen of the District and as such takes precedence over all citizens. The only exception to this rule is when Royalty or the Lord Lieutenant visit the District.

Local authorities that have been granted Borough status by the Crown have no more powers than District Councils, but the Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen of Borough Councils have the right to be styled "Mayor" and "Deputy Mayor".

The Chairman represents the District at all civic ceremonial events. He will wear his Chain and Badge of Office but for a large majority of the functions he attends he wears his Badge of Office on a ribbon. It is the Badge that is the symbol of his authority.

The Chairman also chairs full meetings of the Council in accordance with Standing Orders and conducts the meeting in a fair and impartial manner. He is formally appointed to the Office at the first meeting of the Council in the Municipal Year. As Chairman, he cannot be a Member of the Cabinet, although he may be a Member of any of the Council's committees or policy and review panels but only in his capacity as an ordinary Member of the Council.

The Chairman (Councillor Denis Gotel) welcomes invitations to attend events held by local organisations such as:

• Schools
• Businesses

Due to demand it may not be possible for the Chairman to attend every event to which he is invited.

We will contact you within one week should the Chairman be available to attend your event.

Please use the form available in the download area if you wish to invite the Chairman to your event.