Speakers of 21st Century
Role and Function of the
Speaker
(extracted from Bedford Borough Council Constitution - Article 5
Part 2 release 4)
The Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Council will have the
titles Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the Council
respectively.
The Speaker of the Council and, in his/her absence, the
Deputy
Speaker, will have the following roles and functions:-
Ceremonial
Role
To represent the Council on
formal occasions and at external
functions either in conjunction with the Mayor and/or Deputy
Mayor and otherwise as the Mayor shall determine.
Chairing the Council
Meeting
The Speaker will be elected
by the Council annually. The Speaker
will have the following responsibilities:-
1. to uphold and promote the purposes of the Constitution, and to
interpret the Constitution when necessary;
2. to preside over meetings of the Council so that its
business can be carried out efficiently and with regard to the
rights of Councillors and the interests of the community;
3. to ensure that the Council meeting is a forum for the debate of
matters of concern to the local community and the place at which
Members who are not on the Executive are able to hold the Executive
to account;
4. to promote public involvement in the Council's activities;
5. to be the conscience of the Council.