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Chairman of the Council

The Chairman of Dover District Council is the First Citizen in the District of Dover, Deal and Sandwich and takes precedence over all others including the Town Mayors, but excluding royalty and Her Majesty’s deputy, the Lord Lieutenant of Kent. The Chairman is elected annually by fellow Councillors.

The Chairman chairs meetings of full Council, hosts civic events, receives official visitors, represents the District at ceremonial occasions and attends a wide range of events and presentations.

Current Chairman

Councillor Bernard W Butcher represents the Ward of Sandwich (including Worth & Woodnesborough).

Councillor Bernard Butcher moved from Ash to Sandwich at the age of 18 years. He set up his Plumbing and Heating business in 1968, which is now in its 40th year. He is married to Margaret and will celebrate their 42nd Wedding Anniversary this year. They have one son, Gareth, one daughter, Catherine, who is married to son-in-law Andrew, and four grandchildren, Louise, Charlie, Edward and Kirsty. Councillor Butcher has been a Conservative Councillor for 18 years. He was Mayor of Sandwich for three years, Speaker of the Cinque Ports, Deputy Mayor of Sandwich for 3 years, Chairman and President of Sandwich and District Chamber of Commerce, 2 years and 3 years respectively, Vice Chairman for the South Thanet Constituency Conservative Association for 4 years, and Vice Chairman of Dover District Council for 4 years.

Councillor Butcher is currently a member of the Institute of Plumbing, a member of the Confederation of Registered Gas Installers, Committee member of the Sandwich Society, Committee Member of the Ronse Twinning Association, Member of Sandwich Town Council, Curfew Ringer, Honorary Freeman of the Town and Cinque Port of Brightlingsea and Freeman of the City of London. Councillor Butcher is also currently a Commissioner of Sandwich Port and Haven, Vice Chairman of Dover District Council’s Licensing and Regulatory Committees, Member of the Cinque Ports Mayors’ Association, Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator and Vice Chairman of the Gazen Salts Nature Reserve Trust.

Councillor Butcher has varied interests, including Bell Ringing, Art, Classic British Motorcycles, Speedway, Koi carp, Gardening, Shooting (target competition), Freemasonry, Designing and Making Hand Crafted Lead Planters, Water Fountains and Bird Baths.

Councillor Butcher was first elected Chairman of the Council in May 2007 and is serving his third consecutive year in the position.

• Photo Gallery
• Past Chairmen of the Council

Current Vice-Chairman

The Vice Chairman, Councillor Stephen C Manion, was elected for a second year as Vice-Chairman on 13 May 2009. Councillor Manion represents the Ward of Eastry.

Councillor Manion is a consultant in operations management. He has worked both in the United Kingdom as well as Australia. Councillor Manion writes and runs training courses in Resource Management and is a fellow of both the American Production and Inventory Management Society and of the Institute of Operations Management in the UK. Councillor Manion has had work published in journals in the USA, UK, Australia and New Zealand on Resource Management.

Councillor Manion has qualifications in management and agricultural science. Councillor Manion also completed post graduate research projects in Australia at Charles Sturt University on Wheat Quality and at Hornsby TAFE on airlines.

Councillor Manion serves on his local Parish Council and Dover District Council, and is a Lay Minister for his village church. Councillor Manion is also a Governor at Northbourne Church of England Primary School.

Councillor Manion is married with four children.

Etiquette

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

• The Chairman and His Lady/Her Escort should be met immediately upon arrival by a responsible person who should escort them to meet their host.
• Unless the Chairman of the Council occupies the Chair, he/she should be seated on the immediate right of his host/Chairman (assuming Royalty or the Lord Lieutenant of Kent is not present).
• If the Chairman is to be asked to speak at any dinner or similar function, it will be appreciated if his/her toast or reply could 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 be noted when asking the Chairman and other guests to perform duties, e.g. laying of wreaths.
• Except in cases where the Chairman and His Lady/Her Escort are asked to take part in the reception, the time given should be such as to ensure their arrival five minutes only before commencement of the dinner or other function. This arrangement will avoid unnecessary waiting on their part on their arrival, and will permit them to proceed without delay with the Chairman/their host direct to the place reserved for them.
• As appropriate to the function, a copy of the toast list 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 will be accompanied by a Chauffeur/Attendant and he should be advised of parking facilities and of the anticipated time the event will end.

When deputising for the Chairman of the Council, the Vice-Chairman is to be accorded the same precedence as would be given to the Chairman.

Addressing

• When speaking to the Chairman, he or she should be addressed as “Mr Chairman” or”Madam Chairman” respectively. 

Coat of Arms

The Dover District Council Coat of Arms, which was granted on 19th October 1987, is based on that of the Cinque Ports, since the District contains two Ports, including the Chief Port, and also a Limb. The three gold ship/lions are shown on alternate red and blue backgrounds, the sterns of the ships being based on the Arms of Sandwich while the colouring follows those of Dover. The crest shows the white horse of Kent in conjunction with a castle, symbolising the civic nature of the Arms and the military significance of Dover, Walmer, Deal and Richborough Castles. The supporters, two sea horses, again depict the Kentish horse and represent the maritime connections of the District. The military importance of the District is also alluded to by the supporters, which each carry a sword and wear a gold naval crown around the neck. The Coat of Arms does not incorporate a motto.

Functions

To request the Chairman’s presence at an event contact:

The Chairman’s Secretary
Dover District Council
White Cliffs Business Park
Dover
Kent CT16 3PJ

Tel: 01304 872003
E-mail: chairmanoffice@dover.gov.uk

Following agreement to the Chairman’s attendance at a function, the completed Civic Engagement Information Sheet should be returned to the Mayor’s Secretary.

Contact The Chairman’s Secretary

Dover District Council
White Cliffs Business Park
Dover
Kent CT16 3PJ

Tel: 01304 872003
E-mail: chairmanoffice@dover.gov.uk

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