The Chair is Councillor Sebastian Kindersley and the Vice-Chair is Councillor Douglas Dew.
Role and function of the Chair
The Chair of the Council is elected by the Council at the Council Annual Meeting. The Chair, or in their absence, the Vice-Chair undertakes the following roles and functions.
- Uphold and promote the purposes of the Constitution.
- Preside over meetings of the Council so that its business can be carried out efficiently and with regard to the rights of councillors and the interests of the community.
- Ensure that the Council meeting is a forum for the debate of matters of concern to the local community and the place at which members are able to hold each other to account.
- Promote public involvement in the Council’s activities.
- Be the conscience of the Council.
They also attend civic and ceremonial functions as the Council and the Chair determine appropriate, for example to:
- Preside over citizenship ceremonies.
- Present awards.
- Officially open new buildings and projects.
- Attend twinning events.
- Attend funerals of councillors and officers who die in service and civic dignitaries past and present.
An allowance is given to cover the expenses of the Chair and Vice-Chair.
In the case of doubt as to what does and does not constitute a civic or ceremonial function, the final decision shall rest with the monitoring officer following discussion with the Chair/Vice-Chair.
