Chairman of the council

Councillor David Cronk was elected as Vice-Chairman of the Council on 17 May 2023.

David has been a district councillor since 2015 and a Deal Town councillor for the last four years, representing Middle Deal ward. He was The Worshipful Mayor of Deal from 2016 to 2018.

He has served on planning, licensing and transport committees and also worked on the Local Plan. He is currently lead member of the planning and environment portfolio and a member of the licensing committee and planning committee.

David served in the Territorial Army for 12 years as a Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineer based in Deal with 133 Troop Workshop.

His current occupation is a health and safety and maintenance manager.

David is a football coach and a referee in the Dover district. He has achieved his Bronze, Silver and Gold Duke of Edinburgh Awards, and works to help others achieve theirs.

The Chairman's role is largely civic and ceremonial. They serve as an ambassador for the council and the wider community. They are recognised in law as the first citizen of the district.

The Chairman represents the council at a range of events, including:

• royal and state visits
• civic ceremonies and presentations
• community and charity functions.

The Chairman also chairs meetings of full council and remains politically neutral.

The Chairman always has precedence in Dover district except in the presence of His Majesty the King or His representative.

• When speaking to the Chairman, they should be addressed as Mr Chairman or Madam Chairman as appropriate. The current Chairman Cllr Sue Beer prefers to be addressed as Madam Chair.
• The Chairman and their 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, they should be seated on the immediate right of their host (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 their toast or reply could appear early on the toast list. Any background information should be sent to the Chairman’s office in advance.
• During any speeches, the presence of the Chairman should be acknowledged first unless a royal visitor or the Lord Lieutenant of Kent is present.
• Precedence should be noted when asking the Chairman and other guests to perform duties, for example laying of wreaths.
• Unless the Chairman and their escort are taking part in the reception, they should be asked to arrive no more than five minutes before the dinner or function begins. This avoids unnecessary waiting and allows them to proceed directly with their host to their reserved place.
• 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 Office as soon as possible and no later than five days before the event.
• The Chairman may be accompanied by a chauffeur/attendant and the Chairman's office 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.

A record of engagements the Chair and Vice-Chairman of the council have attended since being elected to date.

The Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Council are elected by members of the council to serve for a term of one year at the Annual General Meeting of the council held each May. There is no limit on the number of terms that a Chairman or Vice-Chairman can serve but they must be serving district councillors to be eligible for election.

Cllr Albert E M Cavell was elected the first Chairman of Dover District Council in 1974. This followed the merger of Dover Rural District Council, Dover Borough Council, Deal Borough Council, Sandwich Town Council and Eastry Rural District Council.

There are currently five councillors who are equal longest-serving Chairman at four years each (councillors Butcher, Chandler, Conolly, Heath and Nicholas).

The longest serving Vice-Chairman is Councillor David Hannent who served in the role for eight consecutive years (2015-2023).

The first female Chairman was Councillor Amelia M Williamson in 1986. She was also the first female Vice-Chairman in 1976.

Honorary Alderman or Alderwoman is a title awarded to former councillors who have given long and distinguished service to Dover District Council. It recognises individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the council and the local community during their time in office.

As the official representative of the council, the Chairman's office uses the council's Coat of Arms as a symbol of the authority, heritage and communities the office represents.

The Dover District Council Coat of Arms, which was granted on 19 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 seahorses, 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, with each carrying a sword and wearing a gold naval crown around the neck. The Coat of Arms does not incorporate a motto.