Introduction
This section is everything to do with the people in Ashton Parish Council (APC). The Councillors (cllrs),the Clerk and the employees.
Councillors
APC has seven councillors:
John Smith – Chair. jsmith.ashtonpc@pc-gov.uk j I have lived in Ashton since October 2018 having moved from Burnham on Crouch, Essex. Although now retired my career primarily centred on the management of property, estates and facilities in the public sector, my last employment was with the MoD. Over the years I have enjoyed volunteering for many community organisations and, although now moved, continue my association with the Henley Stroke Support Group. As a parish councillor, which is a more defined role not just focusing on one aspect of the community but being at the heart of the village, I hope I can help support , sustain and maintain its identity in an ever expanding environment.
June Jones – Vice Chair jones.ashtonpc@pc-gov.uk Hello, I’m June. I was born and have lived in Suffolk all of my life and in Ashton for 40+ years. I was previously a teacher for children with severe learning difficulties. Now my main interest is in wildlife and conservation. I also enjoy walking, gardening and reading.
]Phone: 01234 567891 pbarker I live in Bulford Drive. I’ve been a resident of the village for roughly 25 years and have tried to be an active parishioner. Whilst my 3 daughters were at the school I was a parent governor for 6 years, my grandson now attends the school which I’m delighted about. For a number of years I was a committee member of the Friends of St Mary’s Church, raising funds for the upkeep of the building. I am a member of the village Horticultural Society and I attend as many village events as possible. I’m proud to live in this village with its wonderful pub and terrific school. It has a spirit of its own.
David Holland Since my retirement, where I worked for 32 years in Local Government managing a Highways Department, I continue to have an interest in local council issues and have regularly been involved with the Parish Council. Although a car and motorbike enthusiast, I am concerned about the level of speeding, traffic and Highways issues around our village and am keen to try and address these. I enjoy village life and greatly appreciate our open spaces and country environment. I have had family ties to the village for 30 years and have lived here for 7 years and feel that it is important to ensure that Ashton is maintained as a safe and pleasant place for everyone to live in and enjoy.
Jan Smyth. email address I have lived here, in Horse Way, for 20 yrs with my husband Lenny and now with our 14 year old granddaughter, she came into our full-time care 3 year ago due to very sad circumstances. I am passionate about our village and its people living here. I worked in the NHS for 25 years and have just retired from working for a private care company for the last 10 years.
Nigel Kennedy. email address My wife and I moved to Ashton in August 2023 from Essex. Prior to this we were regular visitors to this part of Suffolk for many years but it is only recently that a change in circumstances has enabled us to make a permanent move to the village and we plan to make this our long term home. I currently work in the NHS and have held a variety of project and management roles over the last 33 years. I am currently a Director in an NHS Trust in Essex and amongst other duties I led the Covid-19 vaccination programme for the Trust across both Suffolk and Essex. We have met some wonderful people in the village already and as my retirement approaches in a couple of years I want to become more involved and hopefully I can continue to utilise some of my skills and experience.
What parish councillors do? They have a dual role. They: Represent the views and concerns of the parishioners to Ashton Parish Council (APC) itself and, through it, to the district, county or unitary authority; and Report back to parshioners on issues affecting the parish.
The formal part of these roles, especially the first one, is carried out by attending meetings and corresponding with the parish clerk.
Mark Freeman – Clerk Phone: 07554 592425 mark@digiclerk.uk This is actually me! I have lived in Cavendish since 2017 and became the part time Great Waldingfield Parish Clerk in June 2023 and, additoanlly parttiem Pairhs Clerk at Littlewaldingfield.. I was a Councillor on Cavendish PC and familiar with Suffolk village life. With children at Lavenham Primary School and TGS the drop off and pick up run has made me too familiar with our rural roads and potholes!
The Clerk role is part time but I aim to be in the office in the village hall most mornings.
Councillor Code of Conduct
Local Government Association Model Councillor Code of Conduct 2020
Declaration of Acceptance of Office (DAO)
DAOs have to be signed by all Cllrs and Chair and Vice Chairs on election. This is the place to keep the template version and all the completed and signed versions.
Register of Interests (RoI)
All cllrs must complete and sign RoI forms. This is the place to keep the template version. Also it is the place to register which legal entity is responsible for the elections.
Membership of Committees, Sub Committees, Working Groups (WG) and representatives
This is a table showing membership of committees, sub committees, working groups and representatives.
Code of Conduct
Local Government Association Model Councillor Code of Conduct 2020
District
Ashton is in the Lavender Ward and is represented at Badger District Council by Maggie May email address and Paul Cleats email address
County
At the County level Ashton is in the South East Division, and our County Councillor is Philip Fairchance email address
Organisation chart
This probably doesn’t seem so important to you but, belie me, it will. This not only informs your parishioners the strcture of Yor PC but lets those onine entities understand you r organisaitonal structure.
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