Key Facts I. Annual Meetings of the Council

In a year of ordinary local council elections, the annual meeting of the council must take place on or within 14 days after the day on which the newly elected councillors take office. In other years, the annual meeting must take place during the month of May.

NALC's model standing order 5 contains details of the normal business conducted at the annual meeting.

The first business must be the election of the new Chair of the council. The present Chair must preside at the meeting until their successor is elected.  Their obligations include:

• formally opening the meeting

• receiving nominations for and declaring the result of the election of the new Chair.

In a year of elections where the current Chair of the council has been re-elected as a councillor, they may vote in the election of the new Chair, including for themselves if they wish to continue. They are not obliged to vote, but if the outcome of the vote is equal for each nominee for the role of Chair, they MUST use their casting vote.  If the current Chair of the council has not been re-elected as a councillor, if present they must preside at the meeting until the new Chair has been elected. They will not have an original vote in the election of the new Chair, but must use their casting vote in the event of a tie.

Once elected, the new Chair of the council must sign a declaration of acceptance of office either at the meeting, or (in the presence of an officer or member) by a later date agreed by the council. 

Legislation does not require local councils to have a Vice-Chair but most local councils appoint one. Subject to any standing orders to the contrary, the Vice-chair is able to step into the role of the Chair when the elected Chair of the Council is not available.