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
8 May 2025VE Day Remembrance, War Memorial, Market Square Kendal
15 May 2025Kendal Mayor Making Ceremony, Kendal Town Hall
22 May 2025Lord Lieutenant Annual Drinks Reception, Matson Ground House, Windermere
23 May 2025Memorial Service for Young Lives Lost and Unveiling of Memorial Garden, Parkside Road Cemetery, Kendal
30 May 2025Made in Carlisle Arts Degree Show, University of Cumbria
8 June 2025Kendal Eid Community Lunch, Kirkland Centre, Kendal
14 June 2025Kendal Pride, Abbott Hall, Kendal
15 June 2025Civic Sunday Service, Ulverston Parish Church
23 June 2025Kendal Armed Forces Flag Raising, Kendal Town Hall
25 June 2025Evening Colours Celebrating Partnerships, The Dock Museum, Barrow
4 July 2025Kendal Citizenship Ceremony, Kendal Town Hall
11 July 2025Barrow Citizenship Ceremony, Nan Tait Centre
13 July 2025Kendal Mayor’s Sunday 2025, Town Hall & Parish Church
19 July 2025Kendal Nature Recovery Festival, Kendal College
Official engagements undertaken by the Deputy Chairman
DateEngagement
8 May 2025VE Day Remembrance, Penrith Town Hall
23 June 2025Penrith Armed Forces Flag Raising, Penrith Town Hall
23 July 2025Chairman's Charity & CAAN Bake Sale, Voreda House, Penrith