Joe was elected to Cumbria County Council in June 2006 and appointed a County Council representative on Cumbria Local Access Forum in June 2010.

In addition he is a County Council representative on the Lake District National Park Authority, who in turn have appointed him to the Lake District Local Access Forum.

Joe is also an Allerdale Borough Council member, Workington Mayor 2011-2012, and Clerk to Distington Parish Council.