Since its creation in 1996, East Riding of Yorkshire Council took the decision not to call their Civic Head a Mayor but decided upon the title of Chairman and, in that capacity, it is their duty to represent and promote East Riding of Yorkshire Council at all civic and ceremonial events as well as chairing council meetings.
The Chairman attends a variety of events and functions within the East Riding of Yorkshire organised by businesses, churches, local organisations, parish and town councils and many other organisations throughout the county and further afield if there is an East Riding connection. The Chairman also attends events which are organised by council departments, such as opening of community homes, schools, youth clubs and museum exhibitions to name but a few.
The position of Chairman is held by a Councillor who is appointed at the council's annual general meeting held in May. The position is held for a period of one year and is apolitical.
During their civic year, the Chairman may also choose to raise money for charity through fundraising events.
A Vice Chairman is also appointed to represent the Chairman should they be unable to attend an event.
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The Chairman is the civic representative of the Council and has no formal power on decision making except to chair council meetings where they must:
- uphold and promote the purposes of the constitution, and interpret the constitution where necessary on advice from the Chief Executive;
- 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;
- to ensure that the Council meeting is a forum for the debate of matters of concern to the local community and the place at which councillor (who are not on the cabinet) are able to hold the Cabinet to account;
- to promote public involvement in the Council's activities;
- to be the conscience of the Council; and
- to agree matters of special urgency to the extent permitted by the local authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2000 as amended.
The Leader is the political representative of the council and appoints the members of the cabinet, this is the group of councillors who are responsible for taking many of the decisions about how the council’s services are delivered. The Leader is also the Chairman of the Cabinet.
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The Chairman of East Riding of Yorkshire Council is Councillor Kay West and she will be accompanied on civic engagements by her Consort, Mr. David West.
Photograph of the Chairman and her Consort (pdf 106kb opens in new window)
The Vice Chairman of East Riding of Yorkshire Council is Councillor Chad Chadwick and he will be accompanied on civic engagements by his Lady, Councillor Margaret Chadwick.
Photograph of the Vice Chairman and his Lady (pdf 95kb opens in new window)
To view a list of previous Chairmen of the Council please download the document below.
Past Chairmen of the Council (pdf 55kb opens in new window)
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When attending at official events, the Chairman wears a chain and badge of office which belonged to the former Humberside County Council. The chain was designed by local designer, Miss Jacqueline Stieger, who collected the stones from along the East Coast but mostly from the beach at Hornsea. The stones vary in size and shape and it is said that, the links which do not house a stone, represent the lost towns and villages of the East Riding and its coast. The Chairman’s badge of office has the council’s coat of arms within the centre.
To find out more information on the Chairman's chain and the badge of office please download the document below.
Fact sheet on the Chairman's chain and badge of office (pdf 340kb opens in new window)
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If you wish to invite the Chairman of the Council to attend your event, in the first instance please contact or send a written invitation to the civic office.
Alternatively, you can request a visit by completing the form below.
Request a visit form (opens in a new window)
Please do not contact the Chairman of the Council direct or send correspondence to their home. All communications must be done through the civic office.
When inviting the Chairman, please give some thought to what you wish to achieve by having the Chairman at your function and what you would like the Chairman to do. This may include making a presentation, receiving a cheque, reading a lesson, making a speech or drawing a raffle.
It would be useful if you could provide some background information about your organisation and the event, this is especially important if you wish the Chairman to make a speech.
Please also bear in mind that the Chairman often has several civic engagements throughout the day and will need to leave your event on time in order to maintain their schedule.
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All invitations received will be discussed with the Chairman and a decision made depending upon the civic diary. If the Chairman is available to attend your event an acceptance letter or email will be sent to the named organiser together with an attendance form and guidance on the protocol to be observed. The attendance form must be completed and returned to the civic office to arrive prior to the date of the event.
In the event that the Chairman is unable to attend, the invitation will be passed onto the Vice Chairman for consideration and the appropriate response sent.
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The Chairman will arrive at your event by civic car at the time you stated on the attendance form and they should be met upon arrival. It would be useful if a parking space can be reserved for the civic car and you are asked to ensure that the Chairman is looked after at all times during their visit.
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When introducing it should be 'Chairman of East Riding of Yorkshire Council, Councillor …' or referring to the Chairman in a speech of any description, they should be addressed as 'Chairman of the Council'. If speaking on a one to one basis, the correct form of address is 'Mr. Chairman', if a gentleman, or 'Madam Chairman', if a lady.
If making a speech and the Lord-Lieutenant is in attendance and other visiting dignitaries whether Lord Mayors or Town Mayors, the order in which they should be addressed at the beginning of a speech is 'Lord-Lieutenant, High Sheriff, Chairman, Distinguished Guest, Ladies and Gentlemen'.
Further advice or clarification on protocol can be sought from the civic office.
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The Lord-Lieutenant of the East Riding of Yorkshire, which for ceremonial purposes, includes the East Riding of Yorkshire and the City of Kingston upon Hull, is The Queen's representative and, if attending the event, takes precedence over all local dignitaries. If not in attendance, the Chairman of East Riding of Yorkshire Council has precedence within the East Riding of Yorkshire over all visiting dignitaries including Lord Mayors and Town Mayors but not the High Sheriff of the East Riding of Yorkshire if they are present.
Therefore, the order of precedence should be Lord-Lieutenant of the East Riding of Yorkshire, High Sheriff of the East Riding of Yorkshire, Chairman of East Riding of Yorkshire Council, visiting Lord Mayors, Mayors and Town Mayors.
Further advice or clarification on protocol can be sought from the civic office.
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The Chairman Awards are presented annually by the council to individuals, companies and organisations with the East Riding of Yorkshire in recognition of their achievements towards enhancing the area in which they work and live.
Anyone can forward nominations for the following categories:
- Chairman’s Built Heritage Award for Single, New Dwellings, Conversions and Minor Works
- Chairman’s Built Heritage Awards for Commercial Development and Major Schemes
- Chairman’s Business Award for Businesses with Under 50 Employees
- Chairman’s Business Award for Business with Over 51 Employees
- Chairman’s Community Award for Groups
- Chairman’s Community Awards for Individuals
- Chairman’s Environment Award for Environmental Projects
- Chairman’s Environment Award for Tidy East Riding
- Chairman's Sport Award for Junior Volunteer
- Chairman's Sport Award for Talented Performer
- Chairman's Sport Award for Service to Sport/Play
The closing date for nominations is 31st January each year with a panel of councillors and council officers selecting the top nominations and an overall winner in each category who will be invited to attend the awards ceremony which usually takes place in May each year.
To view a list of past winners of the Chairman's Award please click on the document below.
Past winners (pdf 67kb opens in new window)
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The Chairman's Commendations are presented to East Riding of Yorkshire Council employees either individual or as a team. They aim to recognise high performing employees, those who have gone beyond what is expected of them, provided exceptional service and exceeded expectations.
The Chairman's Commendations also recognises council employees who have excelled at something in their private life which has brought credit to themselves such as representing their country at sport, undertaking outstanding work for charity, saving a life, etc.
These awards are personally judged by the Chairman of the Council and recipients are invited to attend the awards ceremony in May.
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Nominations for both the Chairman's Awards and Commendations must be on an official nomination form and sent with supporting papers to the civic office or can be emailed to chairmans.awards@eastriding.gov.uk. Alternatively you can nominate someone for the Chairman’s Awards and Commendations by completing the form below.
Nomination form Chaiman's awards (opens in new window)
Nomination Forms for individual awards can also be downloaded below.
Built Heritage (pdf 71kb opens in new window)
Business (pdf 79kb opens in new window)
Community (pdf 70kb opens in new window)
Environment (pdf 71kb opens in new window)
Commendation (pdf 54kb opens in new window)
Sports (pdf 102kb opens in new window)
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