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
DateEngagement
12 May 2023Lieutenancy coronation celebration service, Carlisle Cathedral.
21 April 2023Springfield domestic abuse support relaunch, Kendal Town Hall.
19 June 2023Armed Forces flag raising. Barrow Town Hall
19 June 2023Armed Forces flag raising. Penrith Town Hall
25 June 2023Civic Sunday, Coronation Hall, Ulverston
5 July 2023Cumbria Tourism Awards, Castle Green Hotel
14 July 2023VIP Preview of Cumbrian Red documentary film by Terry Abraham, University of Cumbria
17July 2023British Citizenship Ceremony, County Hall Kendal
11 August 2023Kendal Art Society annual exhibition, Stricklandgate House, Kendal
14 August 2023British Citizenship Ceremony, County Hall Kendal
20 August 2023Civic Sunday, Barrow Town Hall
27 August 2023The Annual Grasmere Lakeland Sports and Show
2 September 2023Furness Abbey Fellowship Medieval Fair, Barrow-in-Furness
14 September 2023Westmorland County Show, Lane End, Crooklands
28 September 2023Lakes International Comic Art Festival Launch, Bowness-on-Windermere
29 September 2023Francis Scott Charity Trust 60th Anniversary, Windermere
29 September 2023LICAF Opening Night, Old Laundry Theatre, Bowness-on-Windermere
5 November 2023Royal British Legion Remembrance Service, St Paul’s Church, Rusland
9 November 2023The High Sheriff of Cumbria Judges’ Service, Carlisle Cathedra
11 November 2023Armistice Day wreath laying, War Memorial, Kendal Market Place
12 November 2023Remembrance Sunday Service, Kendal Market Place and Kendal Parish Church
15 November 2023HRH The Princess Royal visit to Ramsden Hall to celebrate Barrow’s Citizens Advice Bureau and to mark the refurbishment of Ramsden Hall.
8 December 2023Kendal Community Theatre Performance of The Snow Queen, Kendal Town Hall
9 December 2023Children Cared For Christmas Celebration Event, Barrow-in Furness
14 December 2023Veteran’s Christmas Mince Pies and Coffee Morning, Kendal Town Hall
21 December 2023Springfield Charity Toy Donation Collection
26 January 2024Southern District Young Farmers AGM, Kendal Rugby Club
30 January 2024Barrow Sea Cadets Awards Evening, Barrow-in-Furness
11 March 2024Opening of New Pool-pod, Kendal Leisure Centre
22 March 2024Cumbria Chamber of Commerce Dinner, Castle Green Hotel
12 April 2024Mayor of Kendal’s Charity Dinner, Kendal Town Hall
9 July 2024Springfield Domestic Abuse Support Coffee Morning, The Quaker Tapestry, Kendal
1 August 2024Manor of Broughton in Furness Annual Proclamation of Fair (this event was attended by Cllr Matt Brereton on behalf of our Chairman)
31 August 2024Medieval Fair, Furness Abbey
5 September 2024Citizenship Ceremony, Nan Tait Centre, Barrow
11 September 2024Westmorland County Show, Lane Farm, Crooklands
27 September 2024Launch of the Shipyard Town Gallery, Dock Museum, Barrow-in-Furness
28 September 2024Kendal Torchlight Reception and Procession, Kendal Town Hall
4 October 2024Service of Celebration to mark Cumbria’s 50th Anniversary, Carlisle Cathedral
11 October 2024Bible Read Through, The Mission, Windermere
7 December 2024Children’s Cared For Christmas Celebrations. Furness Academy, Barrow-in-Furness
9 December 2024Armed Forces Veterans Mince Pies and Coffee Event, Barrow Town Hall
12 December 2024Armed Forces Veterans Mince Pies and Coffee Event, Penrith Parish Rooms
16 December 2024Armed Forces Veterans Mince Pies and Coffee Event, Kendal Town Hall
18 December 2024Springfield Charity Toy Donation Collection
8 February 2025Kendal Town Football Club, Sponsors Day
Official engagements undertaken by the Deputy Chairman
DateEngagement
18 May 2023Kendal mayor making ceremony, Kendal Town Hall
16 June 2023Citizenship Ceremony, Nan Tate Centre, Barrow-in-Furness
19 June 2023Armed Forces Flag Raising Day, Kendal Town Hall
2 July 2023Kendal Mayor's Sunday Parade, Kendal Town Hall
1 August 2023Annual Proclamation of Fair, Broughton-in-Furness
23 September 2023Torchlight Reception and Procession, Kendal Town Hall
20 October 2023Citizenship Ceremony, County Hall Kendal
16 May 2024Mayor Making Ceremony, Kendal Town Hall
24 June 2024Armed Forces Flag Raising Ceremony, Kendal Town Hall
13 September 2024Staveley Amateur Operatic Society event, Gilbert & Sullivan's operetta "Iolanthe", Staveley Village Hall