Civic Engagements

The role of the Chairman is largely ceremonial, but there is a constitutional role within the political organisation of the District Council, although it is quite distinct from the political leadership of the council.

The Chairman is elected by the whole council to regulate and control the proceedings of council meetings in a fair manner. In order to do this, the Chairman must ensure that he or she distance themselves from the political arena during their term of office.

The Chairman also has a broader role, in terms of engaging with the people of the Forest of Dean and he or she plays a key role in promoting and enhancing the civic life of the District. The Chairman undertakes various engagements, meeting many people during visits to a wide range of community organisations and events.

The current Chairman is Councillor Norman Stephens and our Vice Chairman is Councillor Jane Horne

These are some of the civic events that the Chairman or Vice Chairman has undertaken on behalf of the Forest of Dean District Council during the financial year 2012 - 2013:

• Mayor of Eveshams Annual Valentines Charity Party
• 1 Rifles Thanksgiving and Memorial Service
• Showmens Guild Annual Luncheon
• Monmouthshire and Newport Dinner
• Cancer Research Big Breakfast
• Allied Rapid Reaction Corps Welcome Home Event
• Mayor of Ross-On-Wye's Charity Ball
• Cheltenham Civic Service
• Gloucestershire High Sheriff Swearing In
• Dene Entrepreneurs Graduation
• Foreign Exchange Students Welcome
• 30 year celebration Forest Fitness Centre
• St Georges Day Service
• Girl Guiding Annual General Meeting
• Allied Rapid Reaction Corps Reception and Briefing
• South Gloucestershire’s Charity Dinner
• Cotswold District Councils Civic Service
• Mayor of Gloucester’s Ball
• Tewkesbury BC Annual Meeting and Making of Mayor
• Cheltenham Mayors Charity Dinner
• Cheltenham Borough Council's Inauguration of Mayor
• Reopening of Dean Forest Railway
• Queens Diamond Jubilee prize awarding
• Allied Rapid Reaction Corps Queens' Birthday reception
• GRFU Awards Presentation Evening
• Allied Rapid Reaction Corps multinational drinks and canapes
• Hartpury College Prize Day Celebration - two ceremonies
• Queens Diamond Jubilee thanksgiving service
• A midsummer party
• 6 Rifles Tour Presentation
• Royal Musical Treasures incl. high sheriff’s reception
• Thanksgiving Service
• Tewkesbury Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Celebration Dinner
• Monmouthshire County Councils Art Exhibition
• High Sheriff's Summer Reception
• Newent Onion Fayre
• Tewkesbury Borough Mayor’s Civic Service
• Ross on Wye Annual Civic Service
• University of Gloucestershire Installation of Chancellor
• Dame Janet Trotter luncheon
• Lord Lieutenants Annual Awards Ceremony
• NFU Gloucestershire Harvest Festival Service
• Tewkesbury MOP fair
• Gloucestershire's reception for Olympic and Paralympic games
• South Glos Council Civic Service
• Evesham’s Civic Service
• Hartpury College lunch celebration
• Gloucestershire University Ceremonies
• Tewkesbury Race Day