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.
CHACKO
JACOB
Committees: Environment and Places, Finance, Personnel and Development and Planning.
Though originally from the South of India, I have lived in the UK for more than 2 decades. I then relocated to Ashford in 2015. The juvenescence stage in Ashford with two young children was a challenge but it was the love, care, support and guidance from few of our local residents that enabled us to settle well. It was a blessing to be part of the local residents’ strong bonding. I feel privileged to be of aid to the local residents and to conduct campaigns on weekends and term holidays which include schemes like Make a Lunch, (healthy meals are prepared for kids who miss meals during term holidays) .I have also been passionate about Organ, Blood & Stem Cell Donations (NHSBT & DKMS) and travel across the UK for spreading awareness about it.
Bybrook Ward
PAUL BARTLETT
Committees: Committees due to be confirmed
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: Committees due to be confirmed
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
ALAN COOPER
(Chair)
Committees: Finance and Allotments Sub Committee
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.
Little Burton Farm
DEBORAH PRIOR
(Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer)
Mobile: 07928 824 482
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.
ELLIE
CROOK
Committees: Environment and Places and Planning
I have lived in Kennington all my life and I am very passionate about improving life in the community and also helping improve the mental health of our young people and adults. In 2015 I went to college and was elected as Student governor and I kept that role until 2020 when I went to university, here I championed students' views at a higher level. In the last 3 years I have been a Parish councillor and I have been helping with the project to get a new community hall for Bockhanger. As soon as I see something I need to do I will get straight to it and improve it straight away. I have been trained in preventing radicalization and cybermentoring in preventing cyberbullying.
I am a youth mental health ambassador for a new children's mental health charity called ‘Bear Force’ . It originated in Stoke on Trent. I'd like to work with schools to create special safe havens for children to feel themselves and to talk to anyone they know. Id make sure residents and young people's views are heard equally. And to continue to work with PCSOs and Peter New to continue making our community safe, free from anti-social behaviour in the area.
Bybrook Ward
CHARLES
ELLIS
(Vice Chair)
Committees: Environment and Places (Vice Chair), Finance, Personnel and Development and Planning (Chair)
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 ABC.
Grosvenor Hall
CHRISTOPHER MORLEY
Committees: Environment and Places (Chair), Finance, Personnel and Development (Chair)
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
GREG FAULKNER
Committees: Committees due to be confirmed
I have lived in Ashford for 10 years and my decision to become a local councillor is driven by a deep commitment to community, a passion for positive change, and a desire to represent and serve our neighbours.
It's a role that offers a unique platform to make a meaningful difference and leave a lasting mark on our community's future.
Little Burton Farm
VACANCY
(Assistant Clerk and Allotments Officer)
Details to be confirmed soon
JOHN SEATON
Committees: Environment and Places and Planning
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.
Bybrook Ward
SHAFI
KHAN
Committees: Environment and Places, Finance and Planning
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.
Grosvenor Hall
MATTHEW BRIDGER
Committees: Tbc
I was born and raised in Ashford and have devoted my life to making a genuine difference in the lives of people throughout the United Kingdom. I have established projects to support young people in returning to full-time education, apprenticeships, or starting their own businesses.
In 2018, I founded a charity aimed at supporting young people, the homeless, families, and addressing issues of food poverty and waste. I have collaborated with numerous charities and not-for-profit organisations across the UK, assisting them in identifying areas where they can improve their delivery of vital services to the local communities they serve. Previously, I served as a parish councillor in another parish, and I made the decision to join Kennington Community Council to utilise my skills and life experience to effect change for Kennington residents.
I founded the Little House Project Homeless Shoebox Appeal, which runs every winter and receives support from Ashford residents. The objective of this initiative is to ensure that homeless individuals in Kent receive a gift to open on Christmas Day, as everyone deserves something special during the holiday season. Every year myself and volunteers go out on the streets looking for the homeless to provide them with a gift as well as the homeless shelter.
I look forward to working with my fellow councillors on the Community Council to affect change for local residents and look forward to meeting residents.
Kennington
KATY
PAULEY
Committees: Personnel and Development (Vice Chair)
I am a mother and have worked as a teacher in Education for many years. I am in my fifth year as Borough Councillor for Conningbrook and Little Burton. Ashford’s changes greatly affect my family’s future, and I joined Kennington Community Council to further support the families living here.
Little Burton Farm
NON-COUNCILLOR VACANCIES
Non-Councillor vacancy positions are on our Bybrook Bockhanger Community Facility, Communications, Environment and Open Spaces and Planning committee.
For details please contact the clerk on 07928 824 482 or email clerk@kenningtoncc.gov.uk
JAC
WOOD
Committees: Planning
I am not originally from Ashford but I was born in Kent and have grown up here and I am proud to call Kennington my home since 2015. I wanted to be a Community Councillor to help represent the views of local people and get residents' issues resolved. The Community Council offers a great opportunity to do this and I look forward to working with the Council and residents of Bybrook and Kennington as a whole,
Bybrook Ward
DICCON SPAIN
Committees: Committees due to be confirmed
As Borough Councillor for Bockhanger ward for over 4 years I am passionate about improving the local area for residents. I strongly support youth and community development including better facilities and am committed to creating inclusive opportunities for all residents.
Grosvenor Hall
TRISH
CORNISH
Committees: Tbc
Born in Essex, I lived in Europe for a while until finally settling in Kent 37 years ago. My children, born in Ashford, attended Highworth and Norton Knatchbull. We moved to Kennington and lived there for eight years. My business experience focused on marketing and communications predominantly in the tourism industry.
My enthusiasm for getting things done within the community resulted in being elected for a term as a councillor with Ashford Borough Council. Appointed to Joint Transportation Board, I enjoyed liaising with fellow councillors of all parties, National Highways, KCC, Neighbourhood Watch and the Police on a variety of issues affecting residents.
By having the privilege to serve on Kennington Community Council I look forward to listening to the views of Kennington residents on all topics and doing everything I can to ensure that the area is a safer, happy and better place to live in.
Kennington
BRIAN VARNEY
Committees:
Planning (Vice Chair)
Lived in Kennington for over 20 years and Ashford over 40 years.
Been involved with the Community Council for 5 years.
Particular interest is in planning.
Owned a legal business for over 40 years.
I work part time in Towers school.
Kennington North
COUNCILLOR VACANCIES
For details please contact the clerk on 07928 824 482 or email clerk@kenningtoncc.gov.uk
Councillors' Declarations of Interest can be found on Ashford Borough Council's website at https://ashford.moderngov.co.uk/mgParishCouncilDetails.aspx?ID=366&LS=3