The Chairman of the Council is elected by the Council Members at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) and serves for just one year. The role involves a great variety of civic events, occasions and visits. He or she is the 'first citizen' of the District, empowered to sign documents and agreements made by the Council with other organisations.

The Chairman represents the District as host to civic visitors from other towns and from overseas. Unless the Lord Lieutenant is present, the Chairman is the Queen's representative and takes precedence within the District over all other civic representatives, local or visiting.

The Chairman must also be experienced in the formal conduct and control of committee meetings of the full council. Major decisions on provision of services and other local issues are made at these meetings. From the Civic Office at Causeway House, the Chairman leads in non-political campaigns and performing ceremonial functions. Also, each year he/she selects local charities to benefit from fund raising events during his/her Civic term of office.