The Chairman and Vice-Chairman represent the Council at local community events and outside functions and are civic roles. Both are appointed for a year at the Annual Meeting of the Council in May.
If you would like to invite the Chairman of the Council to attend a local event, for example to open a fete, make a speech or as a guest, please contact the Chairman's Secretary. Once they have confirmed availability you will need to complete a Chairman's form.
Chairman for 2023-2024
Our current Chairman is Councillor Chris Botten. 
Chris has lived in Caterham since 1992, representing the Portley Ward since 1996 (with one year's break in 2015-2016). He has been the Chairman of the Community Services Committee and was Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group for fifteen years.
He has been the Chair of Caterham on the Hill Parish Council, chairing a number of public meetings about key local issues including flooding. This raised awareness with statutory agencies about the effect of extreme rainfall and its impact on Caterham on the Hill’s old drainage system.
Chris co-founded the Westway, a busy and vibrant community hub in Caterham on the Hill.
Chris was the headteacher of a large state school, after which he joined the NHS, retiring from his role as a Programme Director in 2013. As a Surrey Leader of Governance, Chris spent many years as chair of governors of various local primary schools. During his year in office, Chris pledges to raise awareness of the vital work voluntary school governors contribute to schools, teachers and pupils in the district.
The Chairman's chosen charities for the year are:
The Chairman is married to Lucy Darlow, a well known local charity worker and she will be his consort.
Please complete the Chairman's form if you would like to invite the Chairman to an event.
Leader of the Council
The Leader of the Council is Councillor Catherine Sayer, who represents the Oxted North and Tandridge Ward. The Leader is the political and elected head and chief ambassador of the Council. The role is given to the leader of the biggest political group on the Council.