The Chairman of Council has civic duties as well as day to day council activities. The Civic duties involve wearing the Council badge and chains to represent the Council in formal settings, Royal visits and South Cambs Council led activities. The day to day Chairman activities includes Chairing the full council meeting and the Civic Affairs Committee.

In 2013 I was invited to become Vice Chairman with the expectation of being chairman after two years. The Chairman has to be impartial and apolitical to ensure all members feel they can represent their residents appropriately.  There is obviously a constitution which gives guidelines but many issues are down to the chairman”s judgement and I felt honoured that several opposition members voiced their satisfaction with my chairmanship when I stepped down in May 2017 (when Councillor David McCraith took over).

From the outset I was quite determined to be addressed as Chairman. To me this is the name of the position and I would not tolerate 'madam chairman' or 'chair'.  At full council meetings I found comfort in having a legal adviser sitting next to me so that when challenges, amendments, points of clarification and disagreements in procedure were raised I could rely on legal advice. I always had to remember that the council decisions can be legally challenged and may affect residents adversely, so they could be subject to judicial review.

But I remember the civic duties best – I had asked Sue Atkinson to be my consort so I had a companion to make sure I found the right place (I am extremely good at getting lost!).

Sue and I had a fantastic time during those four years.  We went to several Lord Lieutenant and High Sheriff's receptions which included the mass band of the Royal Marines on one occasion.  The Royal visits to open commercial and public buildings included the Duchess of Cornwall, Prince Charles, The Princess Royal, Duke of Wessex and Duke of Gloucester.  The highlight was an invitation to a Royal Garden party at Buckingham Palace last May.  It was wet, but sensational.

The Civic Year starts in May with veterans day at The Madingley American Cemetery where the new Chairman has to lay a wreath.  It sounded simple – until I found the florist had not delivered my wreath!  I just pretended to lay an imaginary wreath – very embarrassing .

The year goes on to lots of invitations to Mayor and Chairman making occasions – usually in church with a civic procession to the Town Hall.  That sounds fine except the pace of the band usually meant we were overtaken by the drum majorettes!  We soon learned to hang back at our own speed.

Following this is the Harvest Festival Season – more church services in far flung parts of Cambridgeshire, Peterborough, Northampton and Bury.  The Civic receptions are followed by the Carol Services – we did about 22 Carol Services last year including those for local charities and village events.  The New Year brings charity events – we always believed we should pay for our own tickets etc. as we usually had a really good concert or supper.  I beat the Wisbech Mayor at Bowls and got a cup, even  though I had never played before.

At the outset of taking up the Chairman post I said I wanted my charity to be Dogs for Good, a charity which trains dogs to help disabled people overcome their disability and become independent.  I promised I would raise £5,000 in two years which would pay to rear a puppy and train it for an individual.  We ran quizzes, a name-the-puppy competition, raffles, sold fruit and jam and charged councillors £10 every time their phone went off in a meeting!  We achieved the goal and 'Hope' is now being trained for a disabled person.

Wonderful memories and many new friends, but the best occasions were those with schools, elderly residents and local people. Opening refurbished village halls, new housing, community orchards and special birthday parties.

Thank you South Cambs.

Sue Ellington
Swavesey Ward District Councillor

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