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 Cllr Doug Rathbone.

Cllr Mark Rudhall 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 member.support@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk for further information.

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 

South Lakes Dementia Community is made up of a range of supportive organisations working together to radically improve the lives of people living with dementia and their family and carers.

The aim is create a dementia friendly community within Kendal and the South Lakes area, to ensure people are more attentive and understanding to the needs of those affected by dementia.

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
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
Official engagements undertaken by the Deputy Chairman
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