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 and Personnel & Development

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:

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

VACANCY

Committees:

There is currently a vacancy please contact the clerk@kennington-cc.gov.uk

for details

Kennington

ALAN COOPER

(Vice - Chair)

Committees:

Finance & General Policies

and 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.

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

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

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

CHRISTOPHER MORLEY

Committees:

Environment and Places and Finance & General Policies and Personnel & Development

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:

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

KATHY BUGDEN

Assistant Clerk

I was appointed in November 2024.

I have over 20 years' experience of working with parish councils, community groups and residents in communities across Kent to help address disadvantage and improve quality of life and I am looking forward to supporting the Clerk, Council and residents of Kennington, in my role.

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

Committees:

Grosvenor Hall

MATTHEW BRIDGER

(Chair)

Committees:

Environment and Places

and Finance & General Policies

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

Vacancy

Vacancy please contact the clerk@kennington-cc.gov.uk

for details or complete the vacancy application attached ( application deadline 31st March 2025)

Little Burton Farm

NON-COUNCILLOR VACANCIES

Non-Councillor vacancy positions are on our Environment & Places and Planning Committees. We also have 2 positions on our Project Grant assessment Panel.

For details please contact the clerk on 07928 824 482 or email clerk@kenningtoncc.gov.uk

JAC

WOOD

Committees:

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