Who is the Chairman of the Council?

The Chairman of the Council for 2018 - 2019 is Cllr Nicholas Coppack

What does the Chairman of the Council do?

The Chairman of the Council has both a Civic and a Council role. This includes representing the whole Council during his/her term of office:

  • Promoting public involvement in the Council’s activities
  • Being an ambassador for the District, attending civic and ceremonial functions as the district’s first citizen
  • Acting as a link between the Council and various groups and organisations
  • Presiding over meetings of the Council so that its business can be undertaken efficiently and with regard to the rights of councillors and the interests of the community
  • Upholding and promoting the Council’s Constitution and interpreting rules of procedure at meetings of Full Council
  • Ensuring that the Council meeting is a forum for the debate of matters of relevance and concern to the local community
  • Calling meetings of the Full Council in addition to ordinary meetings
  • Attending meetings of the Cabinet and other Committees as appropriate
  • Receiving recommendations from the Cabinet and Scrutiny Committee
  • The Chairman has a casting vote in all decisions taken by the Council and this is exercised in the event of a tie at a Council meeting.

How is the Chairman appointed?

The Chairman is elected by District Councillors at the Full Council in May each year. The Vice-Chairman is appointed at the same meeting.

Who can be Chairman?

Any elected Member of the Council is eligible for appointment to the office of Chairman unless s/he is a Member of the Cabinet.

Who is the Chairman?

The Chairman is Cllr Nicholas Coppack.

Nicholas has nominated East Anglia’s Children's Hospices (EACH), whose patron is HRH the Duchess of Cambridge, as his Chairman’s Charity.

EACH’s Nook Appeal is a vision to transform children’s palliative care in Norfolk and deliver even better children’s hospice care services. The plan includes a new purpose-built hospice - “the nook” - to replace the current hospice in Quidenham.

Nicholas, who lives in Thorpe Market, spent 30 years working in public relations and communications, running his own PR company in London and Dorset for some 10 years. He moved to Norfolk five years ago to run the national PR for the world-famous Cromer Pier.

His interest in local politics led him to stand and win election as member for Gaunt ward. He has sat on the Development Committee, rising to Vice-Chairman, and the Licensing and Appeals Committee.

Nicholas says his goal for his year as Chairman is to be as inclusive as possible.

“I hope everyone will feel free to approach me at any time over the coming year, and I hope to do everyone across the district proud.

“As part of my role, I plan to meet as many people as possible across North Norfolk.”

Who is the Vice-Chairman?

The Vice-Chairman is Cllr Brian Hannah

You can see a list of past Chairman and Vice-Chairman of North Norfolk District Council