Councillor John Byng
Chairman of the Council
Councillor John Byng was sworn in as Chairman of the Council for the municipal year 2024 to 2025, on Wednesday 15 May 2024.
As the Chairman, Councillor Byng will represent the district at a wide range of functions across the district, including community and charity events and formal openings. He will also chair council meetings and work throughout the year to raise money for his chosen charity, the British Heart Foundation.
The Vice-Chairman of the Council is Councillor Paul Harrison.
Organisations that would like advice on inviting the Chairman to attend an event should contact our Executive Support Officers.
Chairman protocol and precedence
Protocol
The Chairman is the first citizen throughout the District and takes precedence over all others, except if Royalty, the Lord Lieutenant or the High Sheriff is present.
Whenever a representative of the District Council is required to officiate at a public function, it is appropriate for the Chairman to be invited. In his/her absence, the Vice-Chairman of the Council can attend.
Precedence
The Chairman of the District Council takes precedence over the Town Mayors and Parish Council Chairmen.
If the event is organised by or on behalf of the District Council, or is hosted by them, the Chairman takes precedence over all other guests.
The Local Government Act 1972 provides that the Chairman 'shall have precedence in the District'. Accordingly the place to be reserved for the Chairman should be on the immediate right of the Chairman or person presiding at the function. The Chairman and consort should be met on arrival by the Chairman or person presiding at the function.
Previous Chairman
2023 to 2024 Chris Rogers
2022 to 2023 Peter Dyke
2021 to 2022 John Aston
2020 to 2021 Shazu Miah
2019 to 2020 Shazu Miah
2018 to 2019 Stephen Williams
2017 to 2018 David Little
2016 to 2017 Rose Bishop
2015 to 2016 Chris Rogers
2014 to 2015 Stephen Williams
2013 to 2014 Fran Oborski
2012 to 2013 Stephen J. M. Clee
2011 to 2012 Stephen J. M. Clee
2010 to 2011 Gordon Yarranton
2009 to 2010 Michael Salter
2008 to 2009 Stephen John Williams
2007 to 2008 Jeffrey Baker
2006 to 2007 James W. Dudley
2005 to 2006 Stephen John Williams
2004 to 2005 John Clive Simmonds
2003 to 2004 Pauline V. Hayward
2002 to 2003 Gordon J. Hinton
2001 to 2002 Frank Baillie
2000 to 2001 John Llewellyn Gordon
1999 to 2000 John Llewellyn Gordon
1998 to 1999 Christopher David Nicholls
1997 to 1998 James R. Cooper J.P
1996 to 1997 Nigel Knowles
1995 to 1996 Michael M. G. Oborski
1994 to 1995 Michael M. G. Oborski
1993 to 1994 John Llewellyn Gordon
1992 to 1993 Eric C. Higgs
1991 to 1992 John W. Wardle M.B.E, J.P
1991 to 1992 Brian C. Moule
1990 to 1991 Norman L. Broome
1989 to 1990 Michael B. Kelly
1988 to 1989 Michael M. G. Oborski
1987 to 1988 A. James Millington
1986 to 1987 Anthony J. Batchelor O.B.E
1985 to 1986 John W. Wardle M.B.E, J.P
1984 to 1985 Mrs. Valerie Pargeter
1983 to 1984 Mrs. G. Elizabeth Mills M.B.E
1982 to 1983 Norman L. Broome
1981 to 1982 Mrs. Jean F. Munslow
1980 to 1981 Gilbert W. Edwards
1979 to 1980 Mrs. G. Elizabeth Mills
1978 to 1979 Jeffrey Holloway
1977 to 1978 Stanley James
1976 to 1977 A.H. (Harry) Humphries
1975 to 1976 Harry S. Beresford
1974 to 1975 George C.I. Wainwright
1973 to 1974 George C.I. Wainwright