Chairman of the council

Functions attended by the Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the council and how to invite the Chairman to your event or social function.

The Chairman and Deputy Chairman attend community events and functions. You can invite the Chairman to your event and find out what events they have attended recently.

The Chairman of the council is Councillor Matt Severn.

Councillor Ali Jama is the Deputy Chairman of the council. The Deputy will usually attend if the Chairman is not available.

Guidance for organisers of events

The Chairman will be pleased to consider invitations to attend events such as official openings or social functions.

If you'd like to invite the Chairman to your event, please read the following guidance notes.

If you have any questions about what is expected, please contact the Member Services Case Management Officer for further information.

Telephone: 01539 793 441

Invitations to the Chairman

We deal with invitations in the order that we receive them. As engagements are often offered many months in advance, it is best to make your request as soon as possible, but at least 14 days in advance.

The Chairman might not be able to accept invitations without sufficient notice.

Send an invitation to the chairman

Chairman’s charity 

Springfield Domestic Abuse Support in South Lakeland, based in South Cumbria, have a highly skilled and dedicated team who provide a range of services and tailored support to clients who are affected by all types domestic abuse.

This is through either the community hub or our refuge accommodation, specifically for women who are potentially homeless because they are a high risk victim of domestic abuse.

Attendance of the Chairman at functions

Organisers must ensure that the Chairman is met on arrival and looked after appropriately during the visit.

The Chairman is the civic head of the district and should be addressed as the Chairman or Madame Chairman as appropriate.

Official engagements undertaken by the Chairman
Date Engagement
12 May 2023 Lieutenancy coronation celebration service, Carlisle Cathedral.
21 April 2023 Springfield domestic abuse support relaunch, Kendal Town Hall.
19 June 2023 Armed Forces flag raising. Barrow Town Hall
19 June 2023 Armed Forces flag raising. Penrith Town Hall
25 June 2023 Civic Sunday, Coronation Hall, Ulverston
5 July 2023 Cumbria Tourism Awards, Castle Green Hotel
14 July 2023 VIP Preview of Cumbrian Red documentary film by Terry Abraham, University of Cumbria
17July 2023 British Citizenship Ceremony, County Hall Kendal
11 August 2023 Kendal Art Society annual exhibition, Stricklandgate House, Kendal
14 August 2023 British Citizenship Ceremony, County Hall Kendal
20 August 2023 Civic Sunday, Barrow Town Hall
27 August 2023 The Annual Grasmere Lakeland Sports and Show
2 September 2023 Furness Abbey Fellowship Medieval Fair, Barrow-in-Furness
14 September 2023 Westmorland County Show, Lane End, Crooklands
28 September 2023 Lakes International Comic Art Festival Launch, Bowness-on-Windermere
29 September 2023 Francis Scott Charity Trust 60th Anniversary, Windermere
29 September 2023 LICAF Opening Night, Old Laundry Theatre, Bowness-on-Windermere
5 November 2023 Royal British Legion Remembrance Service, St Paul’s Church, Rusland
9 November 2023 The High Sheriff of Cumbria Judges’ Service, Carlisle Cathedra
11 November 2023 Armistice Day wreath laying, War Memorial, Kendal Market Place
12 November 2023 Remembrance Sunday Service, Kendal Market Place and Kendal Parish Church
15 November 2023 HRH The Princess Royal visit to Ramsden Hall to celebrate Barrow’s Citizens Advice Bureau and to mark the refurbishment of Ramsden Hall.
8 December 2023 Kendal Community Theatre Performance of The Snow Queen, Kendal Town Hall
9 December 2023 Children Cared For Christmas Celebration Event, Barrow-in Furness
14 December 2023 Veteran’s Christmas Mince Pies and Coffee Morning, Kendal Town Hall
21 December 2023 Springfield Charity Toy Donation Collection
26 January 2024 Southern District Young Farmers AGM, Kendal Rugby Club
30 January 2024 Barrow Sea Cadets Awards Evening, Barrow-in-Furness
11 March 2024 Opening of New Pool-pod, Kendal Leisure Centre
22 March 2024 Cumbria Chamber of Commerce Dinner, Castle Green Hotel
12 April 2024 Mayor of Kendal’s Charity Dinner, Kendal Town Hall
9 July 2024 Springfield Domestic Abuse Support Coffee Morning, The Quaker Tapestry, Kendal
1 August 2024 Manor of Broughton in Furness Annual Proclamation of Fair (this event was attended by Cllr Matt Brereton on behalf of our Chairman)
31 August 2024 Medieval Fair, Furness Abbey
5 September 2024 Citizenship Ceremony, Nan Tait Centre, Barrow
11 September 2024 Westmorland County Show, Lane Farm, Crooklands
27 September 2024 Launch of the Shipyard Town Gallery, Dock Museum, Barrow-in-Furness
28 September 2024 Kendal Torchlight Reception and Procession, Kendal Town Hall
4 October 2024 Service of Celebration to mark Cumbria’s 50th Anniversary, Carlisle Cathedral
11 October 2024 Bible Read Through, The Mission, Windermere

 

Official engagements undertaken by the Deputy Chairman

Date Engagement
18 May 2023 Kendal mayor making ceremony, Kendal Town Hall
16 June 2023 Citizenship Ceremony, Nan Tate Centre, Barrow-in-Furness
19 June 2023 Armed Forces Flag Raising Day, Kendal Town Hall
2 July 2023 Kendal Mayor's Sunday Parade, Kendal Town Hall
1 August 2023 Annual Proclamation of Fair, Broughton-in-Furness
23 September 2023 Torchlight Reception and Procession, Kendal Town Hall
20 October 2023 Citizenship Ceremony, County Hall Kendal
16 May 2024 Mayor Making Ceremony, Kendal Town Hall
24 June 2024 Armed Forces Flag Raising Ceremony, Kendal Town Hall
13 September 2024 Staveley Amateur Operatic Society event, Gilbert & Sullivan's operetta "Iolanthe", Staveley Village Hall