The Chair of the Council
Chair of the Council- Cllr Mark HarrisI was elected Chair of Cotswold District Council in May 2025 — a role I’m honoured to take on as someone deeply rooted in this community.
My connection to the Cotswolds began long before I ever set foot here. Nearly a century ago, my grandparents met in the North Cotswolds and dreamed of one day returning. Though they never did, my mother made that move 40 years ago, settling originally in Coln St Aldwyns and later in Northleach. I first came to visit her and my father at the age of 19 — and I was immediately drawn in. By the time I was 21, I had made the Cotswolds my home.
Since then, I’ve lived in Hatherop, Fairford, and for the past 35 years, in Cirencester. Over the years, I’ve worn many hats — managing Curry’s, working at Cotswold Employment, and founding my own internet marketing business back in 1998. That same year, I had my first real encounter with the Council, when a group of us challenged a delay in licensing a community music event. That meeting also featured an escaped lion from Burford Wildlife Park — still the most eventful council meeting I’ve ever attended!
Community involvement has always been important to me. I became President of Cirencester Chamber of Commerce and helped lead the successful campaign to stop the Town Council from selling the historic Norman Arch — a gift from the Chesterton Master family to the people of Cirencester.
In 2011, after years of engaging from the sidelines, I finally stepped into elected office — thanks in part to a nudge from my son Joe, who had just become a councillor himself. He told me it was better to be inside the tent than throwing rocks at it, and I took that advice to heart.
As Chair, my goal is to keep our debates civil, constructive, and focused. We’re here to serve our communities — and we do that best when we work positively and collaboratively.
The Cotswolds is a rare place. Some places are beautiful but soulless; others have heart but lack charm. We’re lucky to have both — breathtaking landscapes and deeply connected, caring communities. I’m proud to represent and protect that as Chair of the Council.
Role of the Chair
- To represent the Council at formal and informal meetings and ensure that discussions are carried out in accordance with the Council’s Constitution and procedural rules
- To make sure that meetings are run effectively and inclusively, in line with any agreed agenda and to deal with the business at hand. This will include preparation and follow-up, as well as presiding at the meeting itself
- To be an effective advocate and representative of the Council at meetings and events in the community.
How to get in contact
If you would like the Chair of the Council to attend your community event, you can contact Councillor Mark Harris by email at mark.harris@cotswold.gov.uk or by phone on 07847 605502.