The Chairman’s Role

A chairman is elected annually by the members of the council at the annual meeting of the council.

Unless they resign or become disqualified, the chairman continues in office until their successor becomes entitled to act as chairman at the next annual meeting of the council.

The chairman’s main role is to run council meetings. They can suggest the content and design of the agenda, but as legal signatory, technically the clerk has the final say. The chairman is responsible for ensuring that effective and lawful decisions are taken at meetings of the council and, assisted by the clerk, guides activities by managing the meetings of the council. The chairman is responsible for involving all councillors in discussion and ensuring that councillors keep to the point. The chairman summarises the debate and facilitates the making of clear resolutions and is responsible for keeping discussions moving so that the meeting is not too long. The chairman has a casting vote.

Their first vote is a personal vote as a member of the council. If there is a tied vote, the chairman can have a second or casting vote. The chairman has the power to call an extraordinary meeting of the council at any time.

The chairman will often be the public face of the council and will represent the council at official events. They may be asked to speak on behalf of the council and, in such circumstances, should only express the agreed views of the council and not give their personal views. The chairman cannot legally make a decision on behalf of the council.

2023/24 Chairman Cllr Nick Ramsay