Meet Your Kennington Town Council Councillors
Councillors are volunteers who want to give time to support their community.
Elections are held every 4 years.
Cllr. Chacko Jacob
Deputy Town Mayor
Committees:
Environment and Places and Personnel & Development
Working Groups:
CCTV
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
Cllr. Paul Bartlett
Committees: TBC
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 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
Cllr. David Gordon-Young
Committees: TBC
I am a community-led volunteer, with a passion for community politics. I have a keen eye for detail and scrutiny, drawing on experience from my time spent as a School governor. I am also in my final year of my Law with Finance (LLB) degree, and hope to graduate shortly.
Kennington
Cllr. Alan Cooper
Committees:
Finance & General Policies, Personnel and Development
and Planning
Working Groups:
CCTV and Spearpoint
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
Cllr. Ellie Crook
Committees:
Environment and Places
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
Cllr. Charles Ellis
Committees:
Planning
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
Cllr. Christopher Morley
Committees:
Environment and Places, Finance & General Policies, Planning and Personnel & Development
Working Groups:
CCTV and Spearpoint
Other Bodies:
Joint Transport Board and Ashford Standards Committee
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 Council.
Kennington
Cllr. Greg Faulkner
Committees: TBC
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
Cllr. John Seaton
Committees:
Environment and Places
and Planning
Working Groups:
CCTV and Spearpoint
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
VACANCY
There is currently two Councillor vacancy in Grosvenor Hall Ward. For further details, please contact the clerk on
07928 824 482 or email clerk@kenningtoncc.gov.uk
Grosvenor Hall
Cllr. Matthew Bridger
Town Mayor
Committees:
Allotments Subcommittee, Environment and Places, Finance and General Policies and Personnel and Development
Working Groups:
CCTV and Spearpoint
Other Bodies:
Kennington Parochial Charity
Kennington
VACANCY
There is currently one Councillor vacancy in Little Burton Farm Ward. For further details, please contact the clerk on
07928 824 482 or email clerk@kenningtoncc.gov.uk
Little Burton Farm
VACANCY
There is currently one Councillor vacancy in Bybrook Ward. For further details, please contact the clerk on
07928 824 482 or email clerk@kenningtoncc.gov.uk
Bybrook Ward
VACANCY
There is currently two Councillor vacancy in Grosvenor Hall Ward. For further details, please contact the clerk on
07928 824 482 or email clerk@kenningtoncc.gov.uk
Grosvenor Hall
Cllr. Lauryn Parker
Committees:
Finance and General Policies
I am a local entrepreneur with family roots in Kennington and a strong connection to the community. I enjoy spending time in the area, often walking my dog. I am passionate about supporting residents, protecting green spaces and helping ensure Kennington remains a welcoming and thriving place to live.
Kennington
Cllr. Brian Varney
Committees:
Environment and Places, Finance and General Policies and Planning
Working Groups:
Spearpoint
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
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