Civic Office

     

 CHAIRMAN OF SHEPWAY DISTRICT COUNCIL

The Chairman of Shepway District Council is the First Citizen in the District of Shepway, and takes precedence over all others including the Town Mayors of Folkestone, Hythe, New Romney and Lydd. This excludes royalty and Her Majesty's deputy, the Lord Lieutenant of Kent, who take precedence over the Chairman.

The Chairman chairs meetings of full Council. He/she hosts and attends civic events both in and outside the District of Shepway, receives official visitors and represents the District at a wide range of events and presentations.

The Current Chairman

Councillor George Bunting was elected as Chairman of Shepway District Council on May 16 2007. Councillor Bunting represents Folkestone Harvey West Ward.

Current Vice-Chairman

Councillor Ms Victoria (‘Vicki') Dawson was elected as Vice-Chairman of Shepway District Council on May 16 2007. Councillor Ms Dawson represents the Lydd Ward of the District. When deputising for the Chairman of the Council, the Vice-Chairman is to be accorded the same precedence that would be given to the Chairman.

Etiquette

The Chairman always has precedence in Shepway District, except in the presence of Her Majesty The Queen or Her representative.

Addressing the Chairman/Vice-Chairman

• Verbally - ‘Mr/Madam Chairman'/'Mr/Madam Vice-Chairman'
• By Letter - ‘Councillor (...), Chairman/Vice-Chairman, Shepway District Council'

Etiquette to Follow at Events Attended by Chairman/Vice-Chairman

• The Chairman and his Lady/her Escort should be met immediately upon arrival by a responsible person (preferably the organiser of the event), who should escort them to meet their host.

• The Chairman should be seated on the immediate right of his/her host, (assuming Royalty or the Lord Lieutenant of Kent is not present).

• If the Chairman is required to speak at any dinner or similar function, his/her toast or reply should appear early on the toast list and any background information should be sent to the Chairman's Office in advance.

• During any speeches, the presence of the Chairman of the District Council should be acknowledged first: e.g. Chairman of the District Council, Town Mayor, others (assuming a Royal visitor or the Lord Lieutenant of Kent is not present).

• Precedence should also be noted when asking the Chairman and other guests to perform duties, e.g. the laying of wreaths.

• Except in cases where the Chairman and His Lady/Her Escort are asked to take part in a pre-event reception, the time given should be such that it will ensure their arrival five minutes only before commencement of the dinner, or other function. This arrangement will avoid an unnecessary wait and will permit them to proceed with their host directly to the place reserved for them.

• A copy of the toast list (if appropriate to the function), or agenda showing the order of proceedings, should be forwarded to the Chairman's Secretary as soon as possible and no later than five days before the event.

• The Chairman is normally accompanied by a Chauffeur/Attendant, who should be advised of parking facilities and the anticipated time that the event will end.

CIVIC OFFICE

The Secretary to the Chairman of the Council runs the Civic Office. The Civic Secretary handles the Chairman's diary and is the first point of contact for anyone wishing the Chairman to attend their event.

The Chairman of the Council is elected every year by full Council. He chairs Council meetings and represents the District at events throughout the local area, and, on occasion, outside the District.

The Chairman of the Council is Cllr George Bunting and the Vice Chairman is Cllr Ms Vicki Dawson Contact details for the Civic Office are as follows:

Chairman’s Secretary

Lilie Broad
Chairman’s Office
Shepway District Council
Civic Centre
Castle Hill Avenue
Folkestone
Kent CT20 2QY

01303 853479
01303 853388
 Contact Lilie Broad