To be properly constituted a Council must elect a Chairman from their number (Local Council Administration,p72) Local Government Act (LGA) 1972 section 14(1),section 15(2).

The Chairman's role includes representing the Council on ceremonial occasions. If present at a meeting of the Council the Chairman must preside over the meeting LGA72 Sch12s11(1), and has a casting vote in the event of a tie.

The Chairman may convene an extraordinary meeting of the Council on three days notice at any time LGA72 Sch12s9(1), and a Parish Meeting usually on seven days notice LGA72 Sch12s15(1)(a), and is duty bound to sign approved minutes of a meeting presided over LGA72 Sch12s41.

The Chairman has no legal power to make delegated decisions on behalf of a Council. It is not unusual for the Chairman to offer support to the Clerk in their day to day work.