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!"

The annual meeting also saw Chair’s and members appointed to the various committees of Penrith Town Council:

Finance:

• Chair – Cllr Charlie Shepherd
• Members: Cllr. Burgin, Cllr. Jackson, Cllr. D. Jayson, Cllr. Kenyon, Cllr. Lawson, Cllr. Rudhall

Planning:

• Chair – Cllr Scott Jackson
• Members: Cllr. Bowen, Cllr. Holden, Cllr. D. Jayson, Cllr. Knaggs, Cllr. Lawson, Cllr. Shepherd, Cllr. Snell

Communities:

• Chair – Cllr Hillary Snell
• Members: Cllr. Bowen, Cllr. Jackson, Cllr. B. Jayson, Cllr. Knaggs, Cllr. Smith

Deputy Chairs of the committees will be appointed at the first meeting of the respective committee.

For more information about the Council’s Committees, please visit the Penrith Town Council website: https://www.penrithtowncouncil.gov.uk/

On Friday 10 May 2024, Doug Lawson, Penrith Town Council Chair & Mayor of Penrith visited the 2nd Penrith Scout Hut and said:

“Supporting local groups in the community, enabling them to improve resources, opportunities, places, and spaces is what our grant scheme is all about – which is why I am particularly pleased that we have been able to support the Penrith Scouts with this project.

“It may not be the most glamorous of projects, however it is a very necessary one which will have a real impact in enabling more activities to take place at the Penrith Scout Hut.

“Supporting community groups in Penrith is a priority for the Council, so I would encourage any groups with a project in mind to get in touch with the office to find out if your organisation and project could be eligible for funding.”

Tim Taylor, 2nd Penrith Group – Chairman of Executive said:

“On behalf of the trustees and members of 2nd Penrith Scout Group, I would like to thank Penrith Town Council and also Penrith Rotary for their financial support towards our oil tank project.

“This support has allowed us to meet current safety and compliance standards in providing a safe and welcoming space for both our members and for local community use, without impacting the planned program of inclusive and developmental activities.

“About to enter our centenary year, Penrith Scouts is thriving with over 111 members between Beavers, Cubs and Scouts and 35 adult volunteers who meet weekly. 

“To get involved with the group as an assistant, leaders or trustee or to share your Scouting story at Penrith, please email: David.Rawle@2ndpenrithscouts.org.uk

“To sign your young person up to wait to join the Scouts, please visit: www.edenscouts.org.uk and complete the form.”

More information about our grant scheme can be found on the Penrith Town Council website: https://www.penrithtowncouncil.gov.uk/council-finance/grants/

This grant also marks the first community organisation to take part in a new series of short videos entitled “Penrith Town Council in the Community”. This series will visit local community organisations which have been awarded a grant by the Council to find out more about the organisation and the project which the Council has helped to fund. The first video can be accessed by the link: https://youtu.be/dmRBI37bL24

Penrith Town Council, working with Plug & Play, Eden Valley Artistic Network and the Penrith Arts & Culture group, has funded and arranged for bands / artists to play around Penrith on Saturdays across the Summer.

Sounds Around Town showcases the enormous wealth of local talent we have in Penrith (and the surrounding area) and aims to encourage more visitors into the town centre and increase the ‘dwell time’ of those visitors by giving them bands / artists worth sticking around for!

As the name suggests, bands / artists play in different areas to encourage footfall throughout the town centre benefitting more local businesses and increasing the vibrancy of the whole town.

All bands / artists play around 2pm and finish on or before 4pm.

Doug Lawson, Penrith Town Council Chair & Mayor of Penrith said:

“Sounds Around Town is a fantastic grassroots initiative which I am hugely proud that the Council has been able to support for yet another Summer following so many positive comments from residents and visitors alike.

“Penrith (and Cumbria) has such an array of talented artists and bands who will be showcased throughout the Summer at different locations in Penrith town centre – so stay tuned to the Council’s social media accounts to find out who is playing when and where!

“Whilst this initiative is all about promoting good music - it is also about encouraging visitors and residents to think, shop and buy local – supporting local businesses in the town centre which help to make Penrith so special.”

Sounds Around Town 2024 has been kickstarted by Tarzan's Nuts and Tailgate Buskers - with a packed crowd watching them play at the Cornmarket Bandstand - a massive thanks to the band for their fantastic performance! This Saturday (25 May) we have the Tailgate Buskers playing at Angel Square!

We have a packed Summer schedule of performances ahead of us - keep up to date with who is playing when and where, by keeping an eye on the Penrith Town Council social media pages, Penrith Arts & Culture website: https://penrithartsandculture.co.uk/ or sign-up for our bi-weekly round-up of events and activities: https://shorturl.at/cgvxI

The Council are pleased to report that progress is being made on the installation of a new bus shelter on Meadow Croft servicing residents on the Scaws Housing estate.

The Council has worked closely with the Scaws Residents Association and Westmorland & Furness Council to identify a suitable location for the bus shelter.

The Meadow Croft location was agreed by Westmorland & Furness's Bus Panel on Monday 15 April, with Penrith Town Council funding the installation of the shelter - along with all associated works.

The Council will now be progressing plans for the installation of the bus shelter.

The proposed location on Meadow Croft is pictured above.