Invite the Chairman to an Event

The Chairman of the Council represents the Parish Council at civic and community events.

If you would like to invite the Chairman to your event, please contact the Parish Council clerk.

Useful guidance about the role of Chairman

The Chairman of Ripponden Parish Council is nominated and elected by fellow councillors and normally takes office in May, having often already undertaken a year as Vice-Chairman. It is a statutory role, which means it is required by law.

Forms of Address, Speeches and Seating Arrangements

When introducing, the form should be ‘Chairman of Ripponden Parish Council, Councillor ….’ and his/her consort as ‘Mr/Mrs/Dr …’

When 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.

On some occasions, the Chairman may encourage hosts to use his/her name after the formal introduction.

If the Chairman is visiting an organisation and he/she is the only ‘civic’ present, then the host will initially meet and greet him/her. The Chairman should be seated on the immediate right of the host, both at table or in allocated seating.

The Chairman’s Consort should be seated on the direct left of the host – unless other arrangements have been agreed with the Clerk and or Chairman.

If making a speech and the Lord-Lieutenant is in attendance and other visiting dignitaries, the order in which they should be addressed at the beginning of a speech is ‘Lord Lieutenant, High Sherriff, Chairman, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen’.

Alternatively, on these occasions in any address the host may prefer to use the opening “Honoured Guests”, to cover all the civic dignitaries present rather than listing them in order.

If the Chairman is required to speak (as host), either in welcome or in response to a welcome by another (as main guest), it is essential for the Clerk to have sufficient notice of this. It is not appropriate for the Chairman to contribute to the ‘housekeeping’ information (such as fire exits, etc.) for the event.

Consort/Spouse

Hosts are recommended to invite all civic spouses or none to an event. Where it is known that civic spouses are involved, the Chairman will usually take his/her own consort.

Chain of Office

Ripponden Parish Council has formal Chains of Office. When the Chairman attends a function, they will wear a Chain of Office, as will their spouse or consort.

Gifts

The Chairman must avoid any involvement in political or contentious issues. If a host wishes to offer the Chairman a gift, it needs to be clearly stated if this is for the Council or intended as a personal gift. All personal gifts are registered officially.