Chair
The Chair of Norfolk County Council is Cllr Barry Stone.
The Vice-Chair is Cllr Stuart Dark.
Biography
Barry has lived in Norfolk for 32 years having previously lived and worked in Southern Africa and Essex. He moved from Great Yarmouth to South Norfolk in 2015 when he married Margaret and now lives with her in Hempnall.
He has been an active local councillor and community campaigner for over 25 years having been first elected to Great Yarmouth Borough Council in 1996. Over the years he has represented both districts and the County Council.
He has served in various senior roles including:
- Great Yarmouth Borough Council, Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Tourism and Regeneration and Deputy Leader with responsibility for Customer Service, Communications, and ICT
- County Council, Deputy Cabinet Member for Education, Cabinet Member for Culture, Customer Services and Communications. Chair of the Business and Property Committee and Chair of the Infrastructure and Development Committee
- South Norfolk District Council: Cabinet Member for Finance
He was a senior teacher for forty years retiring from Lynn Grove High School in Gorleston in 2010 where he was Assistant Headteacher and Head of Department for Information Technology and Business Studies and the Enterprise Co-ordinator.
Barry's interests outside politics are classical music, social and political history, travel and reading. In the past he also took an active role in amateur dramatics, singing and musical theatre.
He was the treasurer for Great Yarmouth and Gorleston and Macmillan Cancer Support Committee from 1997 to 2013 and has been a school governor and a parish councillor.
Barry's theme for the year will be the vital role technology can play for generations to come, with a particular emphasis on promoting an awareness of the potential of degree level apprenticeships for 14 to 19 year old students.
Roles and responsibilities
The main duty of the Chair is to chair meetings of full council. The Chair is the civic ambassador for the authority, and represents the council at events including remembrance, community events and royal visits.
Events and invitations
The Chair receives invitations from all parts of the community and attends as many as possible throughout the year. The Chair is non-political and cannot be involved with political or contentious events.
To request the attendance of the Chair to an event, please complete and submit the Request attendance of the Chair online form.
Contact the Chair
Chair's Office
Democratic Services
Ground Floor South Wing
County Hall
Martineau Lane
Norwich
NR1 2DH
Email: chairofthecouncil@norfolk.gov.uk
Chair's engagements
March 2024
Tuesday 26 March - Full Council, County Hall
Tuesday 19 March - Apprenticeships Norfolk Levy Support Scheme Celebration Event, Norwich
Monday 18 March - Norfolk & Norwich Novi Sad Association AGM, Norwich
Sunday 17 March - RNLI 200, Norwich Cathedral
Sunday 17 March - High Sheriff Youth Service, King's Lynn
Wednesday 13 March - First East of England, Norwich
Wednesday 13 March - HRH Duke of Gloucester, St Martins House, Norwich
Tuesday 12 March - Norwich Crown Court, Norwich
Monday 11 March - Commonwealth Day Flag Raising Ceremony, County Hall
Saturday 9 March - Norwich Philharmonic, Norwich Cathedral
Friday 8 March - Snettisham Memorial Pavilion Fund Supper, King's Lynn
Wednesday 6 March - Visit to The Place, Great Yarmouth