Inviting the Chairman

Procedure to follow when the Chairman attends a public function

Introduction

The advice given in this note is intended to be helpful to those organising events which  the Chairman of  the Council  is  to  attend  and  to  avoid  any diffculties, either for the Chairman or the organisers.

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Precedence

The Chairman of a District Council shall have precedence in the District, but not so as prejudicially to affect Her Majesty’s royal prerogative.

This means that, subject to the exception only of Her Majesty The Queen, any member  of  the Royal Family  or  the Lord Lieutenant  of  the County and the High Sheriff, when they are representing Her Majesty, at public, as opposed to private events, the Chairman of the District Council has absolute precedence over any other person in the District.

It is sometimes wrongly assumed that, for example, Government Ministers, Members of Parliament, Peers of the Realm and Mayors of Town Councils take precedence over the Chairman.  This is not the case.  The Chairman of the District Council takes precedence over a Town Mayor even at a Town Council’s own functions.

Accordingly,  at  any  function or  event  to which  she  is  invited within  the Malvern  Hills  District,  the  Chairman  of  the  District  Council  must  be accorded absolute precedence.

Arrival

The Chairman  should be  received at  the entrance on arrival by  the most senior person presiding at the function or event, who should introduce him/her to the host or the assembled company.On formal occasions, when the Chairman enters, those present should rise and this should be repeated when he/she leaves.

The Event

Unless  the Chairman of the Council occupies “the Chair” he/she should normally be seated on the immediate  right of  the person presiding at  the event, although it may be appropriate for him/her to defer to a distinguished guest. The Chairman’s consort should be seated either on the immediate left of  the person presiding or on  the Chairman’s  right.   Visiting county, regional or national offce holders, or representatives of the body , or their distinguished guests should then be seated according to their priority.If  the  event  entails  a  “walk  about”  the Chairman of  the District Council should, at all times, be accompanied by the senior person of the event.

Speeches and Toasts

Speakers  should frst address the person presiding at the event, then the Chairman of Malvern Hills District Council,  followed  by  distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, etc.When given, the toast “Malvern Hills District” usually follows that of “The Queen”.Except for an introduction, it is normal for the Chairman to be the frst speaker. The formal announcement of the Chairman is “The Chairman of Malvern Hills District Council”.

If you require further information please contact the address below:

The Chairman’s Offce
Malvern Hills District Council
The Council House
Avenue Road
Malvern, Worcs
WR14 3AF

Telephone:  (Direct Line) 01684 862412
Fax:  01684 862367

E-Mail: louise.anthony@malvernhills.gov.uk