Councillors
More information about each member including their Declaration of Interests can be found on each biography page on the menu above.
Chairman of the Parish Council: Kathryn Acres
01628 531521
kathrynacres@littlemarlowparishcouncil.org.uk
Vice-Chairman of the Parish Council: Philip Emmett
07939 142480
philipemmett@littlemarlowparishcouncil.org.uk
Katie Cook
01628 890301
katiecook@littlemarlowparishcouncil.org.uk
Anna Crabtree
01628 890301
annacrabtree@littlemarlowparishcouncil.org.uk
Jason Downes
01628 477189
jasondownes@littlemarlowparishcouncil.org.uk
Stephen Goss
07795 109918
stephengoss@littlemarlowparishcouncil.org.uk
Sam Kershaw
01628 890301
samkershaw@littlemarlowparishcouncil.org.uk
Vivien Morton
01628 486680
vivienmorton@littlemarlowparishcouncil.org.uk
Rose Start
01628 890301
rosestart@littlemarlowparishcouncil.org.uk
Clerk To The Parish Council
Community Office, The Pavilion, Church Road, Little Marlow, Bucks. SL7 3RS
Tel: 01628 890301
Mob: 07377 424998
clerk@littlemarlowparishcouncil.org.uk
All Parish Councillors are required by law to complete a Register of Interests form to be eligible to register:
- their Disclosable Pecuniary Interests; and
- the Disclosable Pecuniary Interests of their spouses or civil partners (or persons with whom they live in that capacity)
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Buckinghamshire Councillors
David Watson
Tel: 01628 810761 David.Watson@buckinghamshire.gov.uk
David Johncock
Tel: 01628 521495 David.Johncock@buckinghamshire.gov.uk
Jocelyn Towns
Tel: 07715 547251 Jocelyn.Towns@buckinghamshire.gov.uk
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Role of a Councillor
A councillor is a member of the council and is normally elected for a term of four years.
People of any political or religious persuasion are eligible to become a councillor, although their personal views should not extend into their parish council work.
They are elected to represent the interests of the local community as a whole and promote a harmonious local environment. The number of elected councillors depends on the size of the area.
Local councils are the first tier of governance and are the first point of contact for anyone concerned with a community issue. They are democratically elected local authorities and exist in England, Wales and Scotland. The term 'local council' is synonymous with 'parish council', 'town council' and 'community council'.
Local councils are made up of locally elected councillors. They are legally obliged to hold at least one meeting a year. Most meet on a six-weekly cycle to discuss council business and hear from local residents. In addition to this, any committees or sub-committees dealing with specific subjects must also hold regular open sessions, at which members of the public can speak. Borough councillors regularly attend parish meetings to report back to the district on developments at parish level. County, unitary and metropolitan councillors are also invited to attend parish meetings when the parish council feels it is appropriate, and they have a standing invitation to attend and report at the annual assembly.
What do Parish Councillors do?
Parish Councillors have three main components to their work.
1. Decision making - Through attending Parish Council meetings and committees with other elected members, Councillors decide how the Council should deliver its services, what its policies should be, how the budget should be spent, how the Council’s assets and facilities should be used and maintained and how to respond to local planning applications. Little Marlow Parish Council is responsible for a number of facilities including the Pavilion and Recreation Ground in Little Marlow Village, Abbotsbrook Hall, the allotments on Chapman Lane, Fern Lane Cemetery and the car park on Coldmoorholm Lane.
2. Monitoring - Councillors make sure that their decisions lead to efficient and effective services by keeping an eye on how well things are working and on how funds are being spent.
3. Getting involved locally - As local representatives, Councillors have responsibilities towards their constituents and local organisations. These responsibilities and duties may include:
- Representing the Council at meetings of local organisations
- Representing the Council at meetings of bodies affecting the wider community
- Taking up issues on behalf of their residents
- Keeping an ear to the ground and taking a close interest in what is happening in the local community
How much time does it take up?
On average Councillors spend two - three hours a week on Council work depending on whether there are any Council or outside meetings that week, what, if any, specific responsibilities they take on and what is going on in the local community and more widely. Obviously, there are some councillors who spend more time than this - and some less. Little Marlow Parish Council meets every 6 weeks on a Tuesday evening. The meetings are usually about two hours long and involve a few hours preparation work beforehand.
Being a Parish Councillor is an enjoyable way of serving your community, and helping to make it a better place to live and work. Councillors are supported in their role and will be expected to undertake training. They should be comfortable working electronically. They should have a positive outlook and a can-do attitude and be willing to work as part of a team.