Every councillor is elected to represent a particular area of the county, but they may also play a specific role in running the council.
Leader
The current Leader of Nottinghamshire County Council is Councillor Alan Rhodes. He is the Leader of the Labour Group of Councillors, and because Labour won the last local election in May, he became the Leader of the Council.
The role of the Leader is to:
- provide effective leadership to Nottinghamshire
- represent Nottinghamshire on other agencies
- act as an ambassador for the County by being a spokesperson
- promote the work of the County Council
Deputy Leader
The Deputy Leader of Nottinghamshire County Council is Councillor Joyce Bosnjak
She deputises for the Leader when he is not available.
Committee chairs
Committee chairs are responsible for the effective conduct of their committee. Each Committee concentrates on specific areas of the Council's work.
Find out more about Committees.
Chairman
The Chairman is the Civic Head of the County Council. This is a ceremonial role, and the Chairman does not have any extra political power or influence.
The Chairman:
- Is elected by the Members of the County Council and becomes Chairman at the County Council Annual General Meeting in May of each year. A ceremony is performed prior to the AGM, when the Chain of Office is removed from the out-going Chairman and placed around the neck of the new Chairman. The new Chairman is proposed by a member of his/her own party and seconded by a member of the opposition. Following the Chain of Office Ceremony, the out-going Chairman unveils a portrait of the incoming Chairman
- Holds the Office of Chairman for, usually, one year before returning to a position as a backbench Member (unless elected to a Chairman/Vice Chairman position of a Committee)
- Is the Civic Head of the County Council. In this capacity he/she is invited to represent the Council at a large number of functions organised by firms, churches, clubs, schools and many other organisations throughout the County. The Chairman also attends many events which are organised by County Council Departments such as the opening of new community homes, schools, youth clubs, and craft exhibitions
- Is the 'first citizen' of the County of Nottinghamshire.
Chairman's Charity
Every year the County Council's Chairman chooses a charity to support during their year in office.
Lord-Lieutenant
The Lord-Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire is the local representative of Her Majesty the Queen. He represents the Queen at functions and ceremonies in the county, and is responsible for all Royal visits to Nottinghamshire.
The Lord-Lieutenant is not a councillor, and has no say in the running of the Council, but we do work closely together.
Find out more about the Lord-Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire.
