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Chairman of West Northamptonshire Council

Each year at its Annual Meeting, the full Council elects a new Chairman and appoints a Vice-Chairman. The Chairman must be a serving councillor but must not be a member of cabinet.

The current Chairman for West Northamptonshire Council is Cllr André González De Savage. He is supported by Councillor John Shephard as Vice-Chairman.

Cllr André González De Savage

About the Chairman

Originally from Barcelona and having previously lived in Switzerland, London and Bedfordshire, Councillor González De Savage moved to Northampton in 1987. He immediately involved himself in residents’ associations and served as a parish councillor for the East and West Hunsbury areas, before becoming a Northamptonshire County Councillor for 17 years.

In his free time, Councillor González De Savage is a keen skateboarder and BMX biker, so much so that he is the Chairman of the ‘Adrenaline Alley’ skate and BMX park. He is also a father of three and the proud owner of two adorable dogs.

As the County Heritage Champion, he is heavily involved in promoting culture and heritage through the ‘Northamptonshire Britain’s Best Surprise’ partnership, the Royal and Derngate Theatres and the ‘Made in Northamptonshire’ food and drink initiative. Through his work, he seeks to bring partnerships together, which will encourage prosperity and opportunities for residents and businesses in the county and beyond.

You can follow Councillor González De Savage on Twitter @agds2288 (Please note that this is a personal account).

Role of the Chairman

The Chairman has several ceremonial and civic duties, these include:

  • being the politically impartial ceremonial head of West Northamptonshire Council
  • promoting the services and objectives of West Northamptonshire Council and the area it serves
  • acting as an ambassador for West Northamptonshire Council and the local area
  • carrying out ceremonial, civic and community activities that foster community identity and pride and allow our communities to Thrive

Other key responsibilities include:

  • presiding over meetings of the full council to ensure they are run effectively and in line with our Constitution
  • inviting key individuals and representatives to events organised and hosted by the council
  • accepting invitations on behalf of the council to attend events

Inviting the Chairman to your event

If you would like the Chairman to attend your activity, event or function, please contact the Chairman’s Secretary at [email protected].

Please provide background information about your organisation and event such as:

  • the name of your organisation and when it started
  • your organisation’s aims, activities and achievements
  • the date, time and location of your event

The Chairman’s Charities 

Each Chairman selects a charity or charities to fundraise for at the beginning of their term in office.

Councillor González De Savage has chosen the Northamptonshire Search and Rescue and the Northamptonshire Air Ambulance as he admires the amazing work and heroic efforts of these two charities in their support of the emergency services and the difference they make to people’s daily lives.

All monies generated by the activities of the Chairman during his term will be split equally and donated to these charities. 

Last updated 27 July 2022