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COUNCILLOR STEPHEN CHAPPELL, MA(OXON)

Mayoral Year:  Friday, 30 May 2008 to Friday, 29 May 2009

Mayor's Biography

Stephen Chappell was born in Oxford and moved to London in 1941.  He was educated at St Paul’s School and Keble College, Oxford, qualifying as a Solicitor in 1965.  After working with Paddington Metropolitan Borough Council, Westminster City Council, Nottingham County Borough Council and Derbyshire County Council, he took up the position of Borough Solicitor at Bournemouth and Solicitor to the Bournemouth Airport in 1976.

During his time as Borough Solicitor, Councillor Chappell was responsible for the legal work associated with the financing and building of the Bournemouth International Centre and many other Projects – including the Richmond Gardens Development, the transfer of the Airport and Bus Undertakings to private companies, the setting up of a Licensing Section in his Department, and the consolidation of all local legislation in the Bournemouth Borough Council Act 1985.  He was also prominent in the activities of his professional body, being appointed as Chairman of the Association of District Secretaries’ International Panel, and gaining recognition – from his publications in the Local Government Chronicle and seminar presentations – as an authority on EU Public Procurement Law.  He was also a Policy advisor to the Local Government Association’s International Bureau.  In 1992, Stephen took early retirement and commenced a consultancy  in EU Public Procurement, Environmental and Employment Law.

Stephen was first elected onto Bournemouth Council in 1995, representing the Talbot Woods Ward.  When the Education function was transferred from Dorset County Council to Bournemouth’s new Unitary Authority in 1997, Councillor Chappell became his Group’s spokesperson for education.  In 1999, he was appointed Chairman of the Council’s Education Committee.  In 2002, under his Chairmanship, Bournemouth’s Local Education Authority was recognised by OFTSTED as one of the top four best-performing LEAs in the country.  Councillor Chappell subsequently held the portfolio for Education & Life-Long Learning in the Cabinet and, in 2003, the Chair of the Education and Life-Long Learning Scrutiny & Review Panel.

Councillor Chappell has been a Board Member of Bournemouth & Poole College, a Director of Connexions, a Governor of two Secondary Schools and a Primary School, and maintains his Governorship of Bicknell School and the Alternative Needs Federation.  He has represented the Council for many years on the Standing Advisory Committee for Religious Education, and was SACRE’s Chairman in 2007.  Stephen is currently the Chairman of the Licensing (General) and Licensing Act 2003 Boards, a Member of the Bournemouth Rotary Club (Past President, 1997-98) and currently its Youth Opportunities Officer.

Councillor Chappell is also an active member of St Stephen’s Church, maintaining his life-long involvement and enthusiasm for music as a member of its Choir.  He is a keen chess player, enjoys walking in Dorset, and tending his garden – all of which he is delighted to share with his wife, Pippa.

Mayor's e-mail address:  mayor@bournemouth.gov.uk 

Mayor's Scout and Mayor's Guide

The Mayor has appointed HAYDN BOWER from the 49^th Scout Group and SOPHIE HARTHEN from the 39^th Guide Group as his Scout and Guide for the Mayoral Year. 

The Mayor's Scout and Guide accompany the Mayor at Civic Church Parades (including the Annual Civic Service on the Sunday after Mayor-Making), the Remembrance Day Service at the Bournemouth War Memorial in November, and at other Church Services when requested. (They are often asked to participate in such events, eg reading a stated passage from the Bible, laying a wreath, etc.)

They also attend any special Civic function where it is felt the presence of the Mayor’s Scout and Guide would be appropriate, and accompany the Mayor at any other Mayoral Engagements when requested (eg Christmas Pantomime, Civic Walkabout, etc)

Mayor's Chaplain

The Mayor has appointed FATHER STUART MILLER, Chaplain to the Bournemouth & Poole College, to act as his Chaplain during the Mayoral Year.

The main duties of the Mayor's Chaplain is to say prayers at the start of every Full Council Meeting, to participate in the Annual Civic Service on the first Sunday immediately after the Mayor-Making Ceremony/Annual Council, any attend any other function as requested by the Mayor.

Fundraising

The Mayor is supporting the following local charities during his Mayoral Year:

Bournemouth Heart Club – Long-term rehabilitation of heart patients (Charity No 1006725)

Coda  Music Trust Limited for Bournemouth Projects – Champions and delivers creative music making for all ages and abilities (Charity No 1068710)

The CRUMBS Project – Training for Employment & Independence (Charity No 1061688)

Vita Nova - Provides drug awareness, training and education (Charity No 1092735)

The Wessex Autistic Society for Bournemouth Projects – Provides access to education, housing and respite/care services (Charity No 1000792)

More details of the Mayor's chosen Charities and his forthcoming Charity events are listed under the "Mayor's Charities" section (click the link on the left).

Mayoral History

A limited edition book (1,000 copies) on the Past Mayors of Bournemouth has been produced, entitled "The Lives & Times of The Mayors of Bournemouth 1890 - 2000".

The book is an A4 paperback and sells for £7.00 per copy. Postage & Packing will be charged at an additional £2.50 for 2^nd Class post or £3.00 for 1st Class Post.

If you are interested in purchasing a copy, all the local Libraries have copies in stock. Alternatively, you can telephone the Mayor's PA on (01202) 451117.

Cheques should be made payable to "Bournemouth Borough Council".