Chair of the council

Information about the Chair of Westmorland and Furness Council and how to invite the Chair to a community event or social function.

The Chair is elected by Councillors at the Annual Meeting. The role of Chair is non-political and focuses on promoting public involvement in Council activities, acting as a focal point for communities across Westmorland and Furness. The Chair also presides over meetings of the Council, ensuring they run smoothly and all Councillors can participate. The current Chair of the council is Cllr Doug Rathbone, who was elected on 7 May 2025.

The Deputy Chair supports the Chair and acts in their absence. The Deputy Chair is elected by Councillors at the Annual Council. The current Deputy Chair is Cllr Mark Rudhall, who was elected on 7 May 2025. 

Chair’s charity

The Chair's chosen charity is Cumbria Addictions: Advice and Solutions (CADAS).

For over forty years, CADAS has been supporting residents in Cumbria with:

  • mental health
  • addictions
  • substance dependency

Addiction affects people in all walks of life and is more common than many people think.

CADAS help people living with addiction to find a safer, healthier way of living that positively impacts them and those around them.

Find more information on the Cumbria Addictions: Advice and Solutions website

Invite the Chair to an event or social function

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

We consider invitations in the order 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.

Send an invitation to the chair

Guidance for organisers of events

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

If you have any questions about what is expected, please contact member.support@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk for further information.

Official engagements undertaken by the Chair

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

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

2026

Official engagements undertaken by the Chair
DateEngagement
6 March 2026Kendal Citizenship Ceremony, Kendal Town Hall
13 March 2026Barrow Citizenship Ceremony, Nan Tait Centre
13 March 2026Cumbria Chamber of Commerce Dinner, Castle Green Hotel
19 March 2026Cllr Helen Chaffey on behalf of the Chair attending the Mayor of Kendal’s Civic Reception, Kendal Town Hall
13 April 2026Kendal Citizenship Ceremony, Kendal Town Hall
8 May 2026Kendal Citizenship Ceremony, Kendal Town Hall
8 May 2026Armed Forces Veterans Gala, Barrow Town Hall
15 May 2026Barrow Citizenship Ceremony, Nan Tait Centre
21 May 2026Kendal Mayor Making Ceremony, Kendal Town Hall
3 June 2026Barrow Citizenship Ceremony, Nan Tait Centre
22 June 2026Armed Forces Flag Flying, Kendal Town Hall
23 June 2026Cadet Day, Kendal Town Hall
25 June 2026Lord Lieutenant of Cumbria's Drinks Reception, Matson Ground
27 June 2026Barrow Town Council Armed Forces Day
28 June 2026Ulverston Civic Sunday, Ulverston Parish Church
1 July 2026Faith Covenant Signing, Kendal Town Hall
2 July 2026Kendal Citizenship Ceremony, Kendal Town Hall
19 July 2026Welcome Service for the Bishop of Penrith, Carlisle Cathedral
22 July 2026Barrow Citizenship Ceremony, Nan Tait Centre
23 July 2026King Charles III England Coast Path Launch - Furness Peninsula

Official engagements undertaken by the Deputy Chair

Official engagements undertaken by the Deputy Chair
DateEngagement
22 June 2026Armed Forces Flag Flying, Voreda House Penrith
26 June 2026Extension Celebration Event, Sandgate School Kendal
8 July 2026STEM Event, Beaconside School Penrith
8 July 2026Cumbria Tourism Awards, Castle Green Hotel, Kendal
 
14 July 2026University of Cumbria Graduation Ceremony, Carlisle Cathedral

2025

Official engagements undertaken by the Chair
DateEngagement
29 July 2025WE CAAN Charity Bake Sale, South Lakeland House, Kendal
1 August 2025Broughton Charter Day, Old King’s Head, Broughton-in-Furness
3 August 2025Garden of Memories, Eden Valley Hospice & Jigsaw, Cumbria Children's Hospice
7 August 2025Westmorland and Furness Council Armed Forces Community Collaboration Event, Kendal Town Hall
24 August 2025Grasmere Sports and Show
31 August 2025Cumbria Methodist Circuit Launch Service, Penrith Methodist Church 
2 September 2025Citizenship Ceremony, Kendal Town Hall
10 September 2025Westmorland County Show, Crooklands
10 September 2025Staveley Amateur Dramatic Society’s Performance of Gilbert & Sullivan’s ‘Mikado’
14 September 2025Millom Town Mayoral Civic Sunday, St Luke’s Church, Haverigg
18 September 2025Highlights Rural Touring Scheme AGM and Presentation, Cotherstone Village
22 September 2025Royal Charter on the Port of Barrow bestowed by King Charles, Barrow Town Hall
13 October 2025Citizenship Ceremony, Kendal Town Hall
17 October 2025 Citizenship Ceremony, Nan Tait, Barrow
24 October 2025 Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service Awards Ceremony, Hundith Hall Hotel, Lorton Vale 
2 November 2025The Royal British Legion’s NW Lancashire Annual Service of Remembrance, St Anne’s Haverthwaite
6 November 2025Judges Service, Carlisle Cathedral
9 November 2025 Remembrance Day Parade and Service, Kendal Parish Church
12 November 2025Full Council meeting of North Yorkshire Council, Northallerton
26 November 2025University of Cumbria Graduation Ceremony, Carlisle Cathedral and Tullie House
 29 November 2025Children Cared for Christmas Celebration, Furness Academy, Barrow in Furness
29 November 2025The Enthronement of the 68th Bishop of Carlisle, Carlisle Cathedral
11 December 2025Barrow Citizenship Ceremony, Nan Tait Building
15 December 2025Veteran’s Christmas Tea, Coffee & Mince Pie Event, Kendal Town Hall
16 December 2025Veteran’s Christmas Tea, Coffee & Mince Pie Event, Penrith Methodist Church
19 December 2025Veteran’s Christmas Tea, Coffee & Mince Pies Event, Barrow Town Hall
19 December 2025Kendal Citizenship Ceremony, Kendal Town Hall
Official engagements undertaken by the Deputy Chair
DateEngagement
29 July 2025 WE CAAN Charity Bake Sale, South Lakeland House, Kendal
15 August 2025VJ Day Flag Raising, Penrith Town Hall
27 September 2025 Torchlight Procession, Kendal
9 November 2025 Rickerby Remembrance Day Service, Carlisle Cathedral
11 November 2025Signing of the Armed Forces Covenant and Service, Penrith Town Hall and 
St Andrew’s Church