Meet Your Kennington Community Council Councillors
Councillors are volunteers who want to give time to support their community. There are 16 Councillors serving the 5 wards in Kennington. Elections are held every 4 years.
ALAN DEAN
Committees:
Bockhanger-Bybrook Community Facility (Chair), Communications, Bockhanger T&F (Chair)
Bybrook Ward
CHRISTIE HAGGIS
Committees:
Communications
Personnel and Development
A mum of three, I run a business promoting diversity and equality in the workplace. I am passionate about our area and the environment, and helped set up and run the Kennington Community Volunteer Group.
Grosvenor Hall
JOHN SEATON
Committees:
Planning, Communications, SW Treatment Works T&F, Bockhanger T&F, Conningbrook Park T&F, Bockhanger-Bybrook Community Facility
Born in Kennington, I spent my middle years running several successful businesses in the west Midlands. On my return to the area 6 years ago, I wanted to put my past experience as a Metropolitan Borough Councillor, Chair of School Governors and Health Trustee to good use for the community.
Kennington
JANE MARTIN (Vice Chair)
Committees:
Communication (Chair), Bockhanger-Bybrook Community Facility, Bockhanger T&F
Self-employed in business development and marketing, I have over 6 years experience as an Ashford Borough Councillor with expertise in Communications. Planning and Resident concerns. I want to ensure the Community Council delivers value for money.
Little Burton Farm
DEBORAH PRIOR (Clerk)
I was appointed as Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer in December 2019, fully taking on the role from February and successfully completing the Introduction to Local Council Administration certification in April. I’m passionate about helping to give residents a stronger voice, and supporting the Council’s development.
MARK SILVESTER
Committees:
Communications, Bockhanger T&F, Bockhanger-Bybrook Community Facility
A Kennington resident all my life, I endeavour to help and support local residents any way I can. A
black belt in karate, I produce a podcast called ‘Know Your Wrestling’. I believe in making the local community a better place to live.
Bybrook Ward
PAUL BARTLETT
Committees:
I supported establishing Kennington Community Council at ABC and was a member of the Shadow Community Council before the Community Council was set up. My role on the Community Council is to represent Kennington residents in planning meetings, on highways matters and promote the delivery of new community facilities in Grosvenor Hall ward for the wider benefit of the parish.
I use my role as a community councillor to improve feedback to the Borough and County Councils on how they can deliver better services in Kennington.
Grosvenor Hall
NATHAN
ILIFFE
Committees:
Finance & General Purposes, Environment and Open Spaces
I have been the Councillor for Kennington Ward on Ashford Borough Council since 2018, so it made perfect sense to join the Kennington Community Council when it was established to better represent my residents further.
I was a member of the Shadow Community Council before the establishment of Kennington Community Council. The purpose of the Shadow Council was to ensure everything was in place and to prepare a smooth transition when the Community Council came into legal existence in 2019.
I am here to represent Kennington residents and to ensure the views of residents are heard at both a Community Council and Borough Council level.
Kennington
JUSTIN
ARMITAGE
Committees:
Environment & Open Spaces, Finance & General Purposes
After 12 years of being a Kennington resident I wanted to see a Kennington focused council. When that council came into being but needed more people to get involved, I decided to do so from a feeling of civic duty. While a councillor my intent is to try to influence decisions to be evidence based wherever possible
Little Burton Farm
SHAFI
KHAN
Committees:
Planning
Finance and General Purposes
Originally from Uganda, I have been an Ashford resident for over 4 decades. I have always been strongly active in the community and voluntary sector and have served as trustee on numerous
charities and groups. I am a member of the Independent Police advisory Group.
Bybrook Ward
CAROLE
WHITE
Committees:
Planning, Personnel & Development
I spent my teenage years in Ashford and returned with my family 15 years ago. I welcomed the opportunity to offer my services as councillor as I have a strong sense of responsibility for the success of the community. I hope to bring a pragmatic voice whist retaining an idealistic edge.
Grosvenor Hall
ELLIE CROOK
Committees:
Communications, Bockhanger-Bybrook Community Facility
Having recently completed a degree in photography, I have photographed the town a great deal. This has led me to become more interested in the area and its community. I enjoy representing the
views of others and served as a student governor for 6 years.
Kennington
SUE HUNTLEY
Committees:
Planning
Born in Northumberland, I spent the majority of my working life in market research and administrative roles, the last of which was based in London working for a firm of patent attorneys. We moved to Ashford in January 2016 having purchased a Guesthouse in Kennington. I wanted to join Kennington Community Council as I would like to see more communication between Ashford Borough Council/Kent County Council and local residents - particularly those affected by the large housing developments planned in the area - and to have more general involvement in the local Ward.
Little Burton Farm
ALAN COOPER (Chair)
Committees:
Finance & General Purposes (Chair), Planning
Settled in Kennington after university and raised my family here. Civil Servant for 30 years, then European Commission and European Space Agency.
After retirement, I took an interest in my locality, joined the Shadow Community Council and the Summer Fayre Association. Elected to the Council in May 2019.
Knowledge of local issues and experience of government have helped Council to establish itself, with a focus on protecting public money. From solid foundations, Council now can make a tangible difference in our community.
Bybrook Ward
CHARLES
ELLIS
Committees:
Planning (Chair), Personnel & Development, Environment & Open Spaces, Bockhanger-Bybrook Community Facility, Bockhanger T&F
I joined the council because I wanted to be involved more in Kennington. I believe Ashford Borough Council has acted negligently regarding Kennington. I am working to ensure more thought is given to residents affected by the large developments planned in the area by A.B.C.
Grosvenor Hall
CHRISTOPHER MORLEY
Committees:
Environment and Open Spaces (Chair), Personnel and Development (Chair), Finance and General Purposes
Having led Project Controls teams in many sectors, I moved into IT Service Management with major corporates which brought me to Kent 30 years ago. Passionate about the ability of residents to improve their own neighbourhood, I was delighted to chair the campaign group which successfully gained approval for creation of the Community Council.
Kennington
