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The Chairman

As the civic and ceremonial head of the authority, the role of the Chairman is to uphold the democratic values of the council as a whole and represent the council at civic and ceremonial functions.

The Chairman also raises money for charity. Donate to charities the Chairman is currently supporting.

Current Chairman is Richard Palmer

Richard is married to Christine (Chris). They have 3 grown-up children and 9 grandchildren, aged 8 to 23. Richard has lived in Newington for the past 37 years. He was born in Sheffield and spent his formative years in Bexhill-on-Sea.

He left school at 16, in 1974, and joined the army, serving the 2nd Battalion, the Queen’s Regiment, until February 1985.

After leaving the army in 1985, he joined the Kent Ambulance Service (now South East Coast Ambulance Service). He was a fully trained paramedic stationed in Gravesend (Northfleet), the Medway Towns, and ended his service at Queenborough Corner Ambulance Station on the Isle of Sheppey. He had to leave the ambulance service on medical advice after attending an incident and sustaining a back injury.

After leaving the ambulance service in 1996, he formed a training company, which he still runs.

From 1997 to 2009, Richard was involved in the Air Training Corps (ATC), now known as the Royal Air Force Air Cadets. He gained an officer’s commission and became the Commanding Officer of 1404 (Chatham) Squadron. He became involved in local issues and politics after giving up his commitment to the ATC.

He has been a parish councillor on Newington Parish Council since 2010.

Richard was elected to Swale Borough Council in 2019, representing the Hartlip, Newington and Upchurch ward. He was Cabinet Member for Communities and later the Chair of the Community and Leisure Committee at Swale Borough Council.

Contact

Vice Chairman is Peter Evans Bsc Hons

Now semi-retired, Peter still works as a Clinical Lead in Radiology in a major London Hospital.

He has worked at the NHS for 25 years and been in public service for 35 years, having previously worked for British Rail where he finished up managing the London Stations South Group, which were Victoria, Charing Cross, London Bridge and Gatwick Airport Stations.

In between these appointments, Peter completed a Bachelor of Science Honours degree at Canterbury Christchurch University.

Originally from South East London, Peter has now lived in Thanet for the past 38 years. He has had previous experience as a chairman and was Chairman of Planning in Thanet and has held other high positions on committees he has been appointed to.

Peter has a long record as a trade unionist and is currently still in the Society and College of Radiographers, of which he has been a member for the past 25 years.

Peter has been married for 35 years and has 5 children and 6 grandchildren.

The Chairman is the civic and ceremonial head of Kent County Council, and represents the council at many events in Kent and the South East. The role of the Chairman is to uphold the democratic values of the council as a whole and represent the council at civic and ceremonial functions.

The Chairman and Vice-Chairman are elected annually by the county council.

Duties

The duties of the Chairman and Vice-Chairman are to:

  • chair the full council meetings
  • receive petitions at county council meetings
  • host a programme of civic and ceremonial events throughout the course of the year
  • attend citizenship ceremonies to give the Welcome to Kent Community address to new citizens of Kent
  • become Chairman of Kent Volunteers Advisory Group, and as such an ambassador for volunteering
  • become a trustee of The Kent Foundation to provide a link between the foundation and Kent County Council and look for opportunities where The Kent Foundation might help the future of disadvantaged young people in Kent
  • become Honorary President of the Kent Active Retirement Fellowship – an organisation for retired public sector staff to meet with former colleagues and colleagues.

To invite the Chairman to an event, contact us with:

  • a brief outline of the event
  • details of any points that the Chairman should include in the opening address or thanking response
  • dress code for the occasion
  • time of arrival and departure
  • the name of the person who will meet the Chairman
  • car parking arrangements.

Send your invitation to the Civic Office:

Official order of precedence for civic dignitaries

Except for royal visits, it is not necessary for all the civic dignitaries to be invited to a function, but where any are invited this order of precedence must be followed:

  • Lord Lieutenant of Kent
  • High Sheriff of Kent
  • Chairman of Kent County Council
  • Mayor or Chairman of the borough or district in which the event takes place
  • Borough or district Chief Executive
  • Town Mayor of the town in which the event takes place
  • Member of Parliament for the constituency in which the event takes place
  • Member of the European Parliament for the constituency in which the event takes place
  • Chief Constable of Kent.

If an event is hosted by a borough council, or relating to a particular borough, the mayor of that borough and the borough chief executive take precedence over the Chairman of Kent County Council.

Visiting members of the royal family take precedence over all civic dignitaries, but other visiting dignitaries, including Mayors of other boroughs, normally take precedence after those listed above.

Eight districts in Kent have borough or city status, and have Mayors as their civic heads, except Canterbury, which has a Lord Mayor. The remaining four districts (Dover, Sevenoaks, Shepway and Thanet) have Chairmen rather than Mayors as their civic heads.

Medway is a unitary authority that has a Mayor as its civic head.

The correct way to refer to the Chairman formally in writing is "The Chairman of Kent County Council, Mr/Mrs [NAME]"

The correct way to refer to the Chairman verbally is "The Chairman of Kent County Council, Mr/Mrs [NAME]"

After formal introductions, speakers are asked to refer to the Chairman as "The Chairman".

Address the Chairman in a preamble to a speech as "Mr/Madam Chairman".

Except where the Leader of the Council invites a local Member of Parliament or other eminent civic dignitary to perform a ceremonial function (including the opening of new highways, schools or other county council buildings or facilities) the Chairman (or Vice-Chairman) would attend and perform the ceremonial event and, if called upon, give a brief speech of thanks.

The Cabinet Portfolio Holder, Deputy Cabinet Member, Corporate Director, Committee Chairman or nominated senior officer, whilst acknowledging the precedence of the Chairman, should make a professional speech, describing the project.

The accepted etiquette at ceremonial events or functions that the Chairman has been invited to is for the senior member or officer attending and responsible for the event to welcome the Chairman on arrival and extend the arrival courtesies and introductions as appropriate to the dignity of the office.

  • Bryan Sweetland 2024 to 2025
  • Gary Cooke 2023 to 2024
  • Lesley Game 2022 to 2023
  • Ann Allen 2021 to 2022
  • Graham Gibbens 2020 to 2021
  • Ann Allen 2019 to 2020
  • Mike Angell 2018 to 2019
  • David Brazier 2017 to 2018
  • Tom Gates 2016 to 2017
  • Mike Harrison 2015 to 2016
  • Peter Homewood 2014 to 2015
  • Eric Hotson 2013 to 2014
  • Richard King 2012 to 2013
  • Paulina Stockell 2011 to 2012
  • Bill Hayton 2010 to 2011
  • John Davies 2009 to 2010
  • Peter Lake 2008 to 2009
  • Leyland Ridings 2007 to 2008
  • Fred Wood-Brignall 2006 to 2007
  • John London 2005 to 2006
  • Kent Tucker MBE 2004 to 2005
  • Frank Gibson OBE 2003 to 2004
  • Chris Capon MBE 2002 to 2003.