The Chairman of East Hertfordshire District Council is the ceremonial head of the council, first citizen of district and the chair of full council meetings. At full council meetings, the chairman must ensure the smooth running of meetings, uphold the constitution, interpret the rules of procedure and maintain an 'apolitical stance.' The chairman may, though, exercise a casting vote in the case of a tied vote with 'complete freedom of conscience.' The chairman is forbidden by the constitution from being a member of the council's executive. The chairman is elected annually by council. [1] [2]
Since the start of the 2008 municipal year, chairmen have served only a single consecutive one-year term instead of the two or three year terms of office previously common. However, Jonathan Kaye served two consecutive terms in 2019-21 due to the special circumstances caused by the COVID pandemic.[ citation needed ]
Previous chairmen of the council are commemorated on boards in the council chamber of East Herts Council at Wallfields, Pegs Lane, Hertford.[ citation needed ]
| Municipal Years In Office | Chairman | Ward Represented | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-2023 | Ian Devonshire [3] | Much Hadham | |
| 2021-2022 | Ken Crofton [4] | Walkern [5] | First person to serve two non-consecutive terms as chairman. |
| 2019-2021 | Jonathan Kaye [6] [7] | Ware Christchurch [5] | Served two consecutive one year terms due to the special circumstances caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. |
| 2018-2019 | Keith Warnell [8] | Bishop's Stortford Meads [9] | |
| 2017-2018 | Jeff Jones [10] | Buntingford [9] | |
| 2016-2017 | Ken Crofton [11] | Walkern [9] | |
| 2015-2016 | Patricia Moore [12] | Hertford Bengeo [9] | |
| 2014-2015 | Roger Beeching [13] | Sawbridgeworth [14] | |
| 2013-2014 | Graham McAndrew [15] | Bishop's Stortford South [14] | |
| 2012-2013 | Jeanette Taylor [16] | Ware St Mary's [14] | |
| 2011-2012 | Suzanne Rutland-Barsby [17] | Hertford Castle [14] | |
| 2010-2011 | Tony Dodd [18] | Ware Trinity [14] | |
| 2009-2010 | Stan Bull [19] | Buntingford [14] | |
| 2008-2009 | Diane Hollebon [20] | Bishop's Stortford South [14] | |
| 2006-2008 | Allen Burlton [21] [22] | Bishop's Stortford South [14] | |
| 2004-2006 | Derek Mayes [23] [24] | Great Amwell [14] | |
| 2002-2004 | Nigel Copping [24] | Stansted Abbots [14] | |
| 2000-2002 | Ralph Gilbert [24] | Bishop's Stortford Meads [14] | |
| 1998-2000 | Robert Parker [24] | Bishop's Stortford Thorley (1998–1999), Bishop's Stortford South (1999–2000) [14] | |
| 1997-1998 | Jill Geall [24] | Tewin [14] | |
| 1996-1997 | James Ranger [24] | Cottered [14] | |
| 1994-1996 | Nigel Poulton [24] | Watton At Stone [14] | |
| 1992-1994 | Roger Tucker [24] | Stapleford [14] | |
| 1990-1992 | Roger Martin [24] | Hertford Bengeo [14] | |
| 1988-1990 | Peter Ruffles [24] | Hertford Castle [14] | |
| 1985-1988 | Francis Clay [24] | Sawbridgeworth [14] | |
| 1982-1985 | Norman Murphy [24] | Ware Priory [14] | |
| 1980-1982 | Frederick Whitehead [24] | Sawbridgeworth [14] | |
| 1978-1980 | John Forrester [24] | Hertford All Saints (1978–1979), Hertford Kingsmead (1979–1980) [14] | |
| 1975-1978 | William Stripling [24] | Sawbridgeworth [14] | |
| 1973-1975 | Lilian Lloyd Taylor [24] | Little Hadham [14] |