Town councillors have voted on Monday evening to reappoint Cllr Lawson as chair of the town council and Penrith Mayor and to appoint Cllr Smith as Vice Chair and Deputy Mayor for the next year.
Councillors attending the town council AGM were asked to nominate a member of the council as chair and vice chair with two candidates proposed for both rolls leading to a vote by councillors for their preferred candidate to take up the role for the new council year.
Cllr Lawson has held the role of council Chair and Penrith Mayor since May 2023 having served in the role in 2019 and 2020.
Cllr Smith has served at a town councillor since been elected in May 2023 as town councillor for Penrith South.
The role of Chair and vice chair of the town council has the secondary role of ceremonial town mayor and deputy mayor.
Section 245 (6) of the Local Government Act 1972 gave Parish Councils the power by resolution to give themselves the title of Town Council and the Chairman of a Town Council to become the ‘Town Mayor’.
The Mayor is elected by the Full Council at the Annual Town Council meeting in May along with a Deputy Town Mayor.
The Mayor is the first citizen of the town. In their Civic Role the Mayor meets with individuals and communities to honour them for their contribution to the life of the town, and to promote civic pride.
The role of Mayor is distinct from that of a town councillor, despite the role been held by a councillor the Mayor acts in a non-political manner when carrying out the civic role as does the Deputy Mayor who attends functions when the Mayor is unable to do so.
Penrith has had a town Mayor since the creation of the town council in 2015 with councillor Lawson the fourth Penrith Town Mayor to hold the post since 2015.
Councillor Doug Lawson, Chair of Penrith Town Council & Penrith Mayor, speaking on his re-appointment, said:
"It is an immense privilege to have been re-elected Chair of Penrith Town Council in what is my fourth non-consecutive term as Chair.
"In this first year of the new Council we have been working hard as a councillor and officer team to make a difference for the people of Penrith– with the Council involved in various projects across the town.
"One particular highlight has been to help promote the Council's grant scheme through visiting the various community organisations the Council has supported to hear not only about the projects we have helped to support but also about the invaluable work they do for and with the Penrith community.
"I am delighted to continue as Chair for another year and look forward to the Council continuing to deliver important projects for the benefit of the town."
Councillor Danny Smith, Deputy Chair of Penrith Town Council & Penrith Deputy Mayor, speaking on his appointment, said:
"I am so proud to have been elected Deputy Chair of Penrith Town Council and I would like to thank my fellow councillors for their support, kindness, and for placing their trust in me."
"Having been a councillor for a year, it felt like the right time to take that next step up and take on the added responsibility which comes with Deputy Chair of the Council. I feel it will give me the opportunity to more quickly develop my skills as a councillor and be more involved in the Penrith community."
"The Council is involved in a lot of great projects across the town – which is why I can't wait to get started in this new role!"
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