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 Jo Gilford. She is supported by Cllr Alison Eastwood, ward member for Silverstone, as Vice-Chairman.

You can watch a video of the new Chairman of the Council below:

About the Chairman

Throughout her career, Cllr Gilford has demonstrated a tireless commitment to public welfare, balancing family responsibilities with professional excellence. With 25 years of experience in various sectors including public service, private enterprise, and healthcare management, Cllr Jo Gilford brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her new role. 

Her time as both an officer and a member of local councils, along with working in the NHS provided her with a rich understanding of the needs of the local community.  

Cllr Jo Gilford's dedication to public service is underscored by her family background, with her mother being a nurse and her son serving in the navy aboard the Navy’s flagship carrier the Prince of Wales. 

This legacy of service has imbued Cllr Jo Gilford with a deep sense of responsibility towards her community, evident in her tireless efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic as the Managing Partner of a medical practice which put her directly on the frontline. 

In her new capacity as Chairman of West Northamptonshire Council, Cllr Jo Gilford outlines her priorities for the upcoming year, focusing on enhancing civic pride and community engagement across West Northants. 

These priorities include attending civic and ceremonial functions across the Council's wards, hosting events to promote council interests and traditions, and ensuring the efficient conduct of council meetings.

The Chairman’s Charities

Cllr Gilford will also spotlight charitable initiatives, with two charities chosen to receive support throughout the year. Reflecting on her family's legacy of public service, she aims to support SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity and the Stop Hate UK through charitable activities.  

Stop Hate UK is a charity that Cllr Gilford has been working with to launch The Stop Hate Line in Northamptonshire. This line provides a safe and independent space for victims and witnesses of hate crimes and hate incidents to discuss their experiences and explore options for taking further action. 

The Stop Hate Line is open 24 hours a day, every day of the year on 0800 138 1625. The helpline is also available by text message on 07717989025 and by email to [email protected].

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 civic structure

The HM Lord-Lieutenant of Northamptonshire is the King’s representative in the county, and alongside the High Sheriff of Northamptonshire, leads the civic structure in Northamptonshire.

The Chairman of West Northamptonshire Council oversees the civic structure in the West Northamptonshire area, with the Mayors of Brackley, Daventry, Northampton and Towcester heading up each of their respective town’s parish councils.

History of the role

The role of the Chairman dates back to 1889, when the 5th Earl Spencer, known as the ‘Red Earl’, became the first Chairman of the newly elected Northamptonshire County Council. He served in this role for three years and established the pattern of the Vice-Chairman succeeding to the role of Chairman, creating a workable system of member administration and a balance of party interests.

(Information adapted from ‘A History of Northamptonshire County Council’ by Jonathan Bradbury)

Last updated 12 June 2024