Charter Trustees of the City of Carlisle

The Charter Trustees of the City of Carlisle is made up of 11 Cumberland Councillors.

It is non-political and non-statutory body with the primary objective being to maintain and promote the historic and ceremonial traditions for the area.

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Who are the trustees?

The Mayor and Deputy Mayor are elected from the charter trust members and the positions are installed at Mayor Making at the Annual Meeting.

The position of Mayor is non-political, serves as the ceremonial head of the historic city and intended to benefit both the city and its citizens.

The Mayor acts as an ambassador for the city and should endeavour to promote and enhance the role of the Mayoralty.

The Deputy Mayor may also represent the Office of Mayor if they are unavailable and when it is important that the Mayor is represented and appropriate for the invitation to be passed on.

Charter Trustees of the City of Carlisle appointed Chris Southward into the Civic role of the Mayor of Carlisle in May 2024. His term of office will carry until May 2025.

Janet Whalen was voted in as the Deputy Mayor of Carlisle.

The Charter Trustees is made up the following: Robert Betton, Lisa Brown, Helen Davison, Anne Glendinning, Abdul Harid, Justin McDermott, Lucy Patrick, Anne Quilter, Chris Southward, Brian Wernham, Jeanette Whalen and Chris Wills.

View contact details for the Charter Trustees

History of the Mayor of Carlisle

The position of Mayor of Carlisle is believed to have been created in 1231, when the city was first officially granted independence to run itself. Traditionally the Mayor was elected by "citizens of that city continually residing in the same" - that is, the Freemen.

After 1835, Councillors who have been elected to represent different wards of the city have chosen the Mayor. Whereas in the past the Mayor was executive leader of the Council, it is now an honorary position.

The Mayor of Carlisle, Chris Southward

Chris Southward was born in Carlisle and is married to Joan and has three children and seven grandchildren.

He has worked locally all his life, working for both Carlisle City Council and Cumbria County Council. For the last seventeen years before his retirement, he worked as a maths teacher.

He was a school governor in Denton Holme and has been involved with the law centre as well as being a great advocate and supporter of the local scout movement.

Chris Southward was first elected as a local Councillor in 1988 and has served as a Carlisle City, Cumbria County and Cumberland Councillor.

He is very involved with his local ward of Denton Holme and is a great supporter of his community and city.

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