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JOHN PERRY - Chairman and ex-officio member of all Groups & Planning Committee
My background is in economics and finance and I continue to take a strong interest in the Parish Council’s finances. I have worked in both the public and private sectors and I have extensive experience of working with government departments and have been the UK representative on various international committees. I was appointed Chairman last May and as such I am an ex-officio member of all the Parish Council’s key committees and groups; and I have continued to represent the Parish Council on the Jubilee Field Management Committee as a Trustee.
During the past year we have re-structured the Council procedures by substituting the monthly meeting of the Amenities Committee with a full Council meeting. We have also set up groups to review the provision of allotments and the consumption of alcohol in the Parish. We have successfully taken over responsibility for maintaining the public toilets and the Localism Bill might lead to further the services being provided by the Parish Council. We have therefore expanded the remit of our Policy Group to include short and medium project plans for the community. We continue to work closely with our County and Borough Councillors, our Local Authorities and our local Police to ensure that policies and projects are in place to enhance our community.
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TOM BURNHAM - Vice-Chairman & ex-officio member of all Groups & Planning Cttee
I moved to Staplehurst in 2000, having driven through it many times over the previous 25 years on the way to the Kent & East Sussex Railway. My children have attended Staplehurst school, and I have used our train service to commute to my job at Guy's Hospital. I am a member of Staplehurst United Reformed Church and the Churches Together in Staplehurst committee. I was co-opted to the Parish Council in May 2007 and was elected as its Vice-Chairman in May 2010. I expect that the Parish Council will have to take over responsibility for more local services in the next few years. It will be a challenge to do this in a way that is both affordable and responsive to residents' needs, but I hope that all sections of our community will eventually enjoy improved amenities.
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PAUL KELLY - Vice-Chairman and ex-officio member of all Groups & Planning Committee
I moved to Staplehurst 14 years ago, 2 years after relocating my specialist printing business in the village at the Lodge Road industrial estate. The units at Lodge Road combined contribute £500,000 annually in business rates. Most of this revenue goes to Central Government. If Staplehurst Parish Council could collect and keep a larger proportion of these rates, we could provide better facilities locally and the Localism Bill would be more viable.
My idea of flower tubs at Bell Lane has been successful and I hope we can soon have more around the village. I’ve worked hard to ensure the Bell Lane toilets remain open and well-maintained. You will be seeing more of me, driving a Scarab cleaner and helping to make this a cleaner community.
As well as beginning my fourth term as a Parish Councillor, I am a member of the Staplehurst Rural Settlement Group, which considers future development in Staplehurst. It’s important we have a say in our village’s future. We should be thinking in creative ways. For example, how about charging points at the station and the Parade for the new electric cars? I look to the future with optimism.
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MARGARET ASHBY - Member of Planning Committee & Publicity & Website Group
We moved as a family to the village in 1994 and both my daughters attended Staplehurst Primary School. During that time I was an active member of the PTA. I also have served on the Churches Together in Staplehurst committee for 15 years. My primary purpose on the Parish Council is to listen to the concerns of residents and try to address them. I am looking forward to the challenges ahead.
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JOAN BULLER - Member of Planning Committee, Alcohol Control Zone, Allotments, Playscheme, Publicity & Website & Rural Settlement Groups
I have been a member of the Parish Council for twenty eight years and I am looking forward to the challenge of a further four years.
As an existing councillor I am involved with many projects which I wish to continue. These include the Allotment Team, Playscheme Group, editing and organising the distribution of the Village Update, the Rural Settlement Group which is now working on the Parish Plan, the Staplehurst Emergency Help Team and heading up Speed Watch. Recently I have been working on a new project with Age Concern, the Staplehurst Community Hub, and I am very keen to make this a success to give more support to our older residents. I have enjoyed mentoring new councillors and am keen to continue this role. I have two further dreams – to make Staplehurst a litter-free area and to promote our community as a good place to visit as well as live. I enjoy walking round the parish, meeting and listening to what parishioners think and need. With my husband I run Staplehurst Interest Group and do voluntary work in the library. I love being part of Staplehurst’s welcoming, friendly and caring community.
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PAUL BUTCHER - Chairman of Planning Committee & Member of Alcohol Control Zone, Allotments, Council Policy & Village Enhancement Groups.
I have worked and lived in the village for over 30 years and have always felt that there is a lot of work to do to improve our village. By working with local groups and local people with the same outlook so much can be done. As a single parent the Youth Club is very important to me and I aim to continue to help to improve it and ensure good staff so we can open every week. I also aim to use the Youth Centre for the village with lots of groups using the space. I am a member of several groups and try to help them with lots of issues, especially with fundraising in these difficult times. Uprocking is planned at the skate park in Jubilee Field and we hope to make this an annual event. Being a Parish Councillor is always a busy role but l want to work hard to make a difference.
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COUNCILLOR VACANCY
Following the resignation of Jack Davidson, Public Notice of Vacancy was posted on 20/09/11. No bye-election (at Council expense) was requested. Staplehurst Parish Council is now able to fill the vacancy by co-option. If you are interested in becoming a Parish Councillor and wish to know more, or would like to register such interest, please contact the Parish Clerk as soon as possible. Tel: 01580 891761 or email: clerk@staplehurstvillage.org.uk
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SIMON GREEN - Member of Planning Committee, Council Policy, Finance, Rural Settlement & Church Green Groups
I have lived in Staplehurst for 28 years, having previously lived in Tovil and Sutton Valence. I ran a small handmade paper mill exporting all over the world and I have also provided consultancy on handmade paper, particularly in India and the Philippines. Until recently I ran the environmental charity Groundwork Kent & Medway and I am now a business and charity consultant. I am a member of the Planning Committee and the Policy, Finance, Rural Settlement and Church Green Groups. I believe in taking a positive approach to all aspects of planning so that the Council can influence development rather than having it imposed upon us. I think it is important to ensure it benefits both existing and future parishioners, whilst the amount of residential development should be carefully restricted and of high quality. I am helping to develop the Staplehurst Plan which should reflect the views of the community as a whole and which I hope will ensure our priorities are properly considered in the wider Borough plans. I have a strong interest in the conservation of books, archives and works of art on paper and I own and maintain a small nature reserve.
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JOHN KELLY - Vice-Chairman of Planning Committee, Allotments, Publicity & Website Groups and Chairman of Rural Settlement Group
I have lived in Kent for 32 years and finally moved to Staplehurst in September, 2001. I retired from the public sector in 2009, having worked in Kent and throughout the UK. My interest in planning matters, led me to join the Rural Settlement Group. I was subsequently co-opted onto the Parish Council in May, 2010. I hope to use my knowledge and experience in guiding the future development of Staplehurst Village, for the benefit of the whole community. I therefore seek to ensure effective communication between the Council and everybody in the village, including those outside who may be considering moving to Staplehurst.
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SAM LAIN - Member of Playscheme, Publicity & Website and Diamond Jubilee Plans Groups
I am 18 years of age, and have lived in the village since I was born. I am actively involved with many local groups, including Staplehurst Drama Society and Staplehurst Youth Club. In addition to this I am the owner and Managing Director of Kent's Talent. I work full-time at K College in Tonbridge within the Adult Learning Department.
I am passionate about local facilities and the young people. I am very keen to work with and alongside my fellow councillors to ensure Staplehurst has great facilities and is a brilliant place to live for all.
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BARRETT MANNING - Member of Allotments Group
I am a retired senior local government officer with 49 years service in the Corporation of London with responsibility for administering the Corporation's interests and estates in Northern Ireland. My wife and I have resided in Staplehurst since 1963 and both our son and daughter attended the local primary school under Mr Yates-Smith, Headmaster, prior to university. After retirement in 1994, I served 10 years as an adviser with the Maidstone Citizens Advice Bureau and a further 5 years as Chairman. I am currently an Independent Custody Visitor for the Kent Police Authority (15 years) and a Counsellor for the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association - Forces Help (SSAFA) (9years). My interests include grandchildren, gardening, golf, cricket and photography. I also represent the Parish Council on Headcorn Aerodrome Consultative Committee and the Local Transport Forum.
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JOHN REARDON - Member of Finance & Publicity & Website Groups
I have lived in this village since 1999. I am married with two children, both attending the local primary school. I was co opted onto the Parish Council in 2004. I currently work as a Diagnostic Testing Officer for BT Wholesale on shift work. This allows me more time in the village to assist in the day to day running of the Parish Council and any community issues that arise. I am currently on the Amenities Committee, Finance Group and Web Site/Publicity Group. My aim over the next year is to work with other Parish Council members to further develop the Village Web Site and other publicity issues. I also, like many others, am working to preserve this village, as a village.
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RORY SILKIN - Member of Council Policy & Church Green Groups
I am a commercial solicitor living and working in Staplehurst, which I've been associated with since about 1960. My daughters went to Staplehurst school and then on to Angley. I chair the Council's Emergency Planing group, and I'm interested in our amenities generally; such as preserving Church Green for the village. Outside the Council, I'm a trustee of the Friends of the Health Centre, and independent examiner for the Friends of the Parish Church. When you see a big, bearded man being pulled along by a small terrier, that's me and Huxley.
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ADELE SHARP
I am a born and bred Staplehurst-ite. Whilst I may have travelled the world a bit, I always return to Staplehurst, my home. Being involved in scouting gave me the opportunity to help take part in building a hospital-clinic in Zimbabwe in 1992 and I was part of a working party in 1993 and a young leader in 1995. Helping their community to help themselves was something I was proud to be a small part of.
I am looking forward to being able to help our community much closer to home. I have worked in banking and insurance but currently work at the local Secondary School, Angley, in Cranbrook, teaching English and Media Studies. Staplehurst has a great community atmosphere, being town size but keeping its Village feel and ethics. I believe that it’s important to ensure that our community’s best interests are kept in mind when facing the future whether it is issues about public toilets or education and housing plans.
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PETER SPEARINK - Member of Planning Committee, Council Policy, Village Enhancement & Diamond Jubilee Plans Groups
Married with two grown up children, I have lived in Kent since 1973 and in Staplehurst since 1983. Now retired I have more time for daytime Council affairs. I take great interest in my Planning Committee work. I have been active in the field of disability disadvantage, local transport matters and the Staplehurst Emergency Help Team. I believe that Staplehurst should be more forward looking and accept that it is now a town not a village. I also believe that we should work more closely with MBC and adjacent parishes.
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