| Here you can meet the councillors who
represent your interests in Coleford |
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| Officers | |||
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Town Clerk Annie Lapington |
Annie is responsible to the Mayor and Members of the Town Council to provide clerical, financial and where possible, legal advice. Duties range from responsibility for the day to day management of the Town House, Coleford Cemetery and the King George V Playing Field to liaising with the District and County Councils on issues affecting the parish, including drainage, planning applications and street lighting. The office base acts as a focal point for parishioners and councillors alike | |
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Assistant Clerk Carolyn Dixon |
Carolyn works with Annie to ensure the effective running of the Council. In addition to preparing agendas for meetings and minutes for approval, Carolyn types the correspondence, provides a reception service for the public, and completes the records associated with the management of the Cemetery. A varied, vital supporting role! | |
| Members | |||
| Name | Background Information | Represents Council | Achevements aimed for Town |
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Cllr Sue Merrikin Mayor |
My family consists of myself, my husband and my daughter. We live in central Coleford. I work for Inglos, providing help and support to people with severe and enduring mental health this is based in the Forest. I also support Lakers School by being a Parent Governor and taking an active interest in provision of education locally. | Represents Council on Amenities, Finance/Office, Planning & Transport and Public Safety Sub Committees; Gloucestershire Playing Fields Committee; FODDC Joint Leisure Committee: Five Acres Sports Centre, The Halls Charity and Angus Buchanan Recreation Ground Committee. | Youth provision is at the top of my agenda followed by provision of health, transport and education to meet the existing communities’ needs. To be part of a forward thinking council that recognises change is important to be able to survive and deliver services to an ever changing interactive populous. |
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Cllr Chris Howell Deputy Mayor |
I have lived in Coalway with my wife Ann since August 1987. I am now in early retirement having worked as a Driving Instructor, a security usher at Gloucester Magistrates Court and for a local funeral director. I served 27 years in the Royal Navy 1962 - 1989. I am a member of the Coleford Partnership and am working on the gathering together of items of heritage interest with Market Towns Initiative. I am also a “Reader” in the C of E (Mid-Wyedean Benefice). |
Represents the Council on Burial, Finance/Office and Planning & Transport Sub Committees, Forest of Dean Citizens Advice Bureau and The Gloucestershire Market Towns Forum. | If, in some small way, I can enhance the standing of Coleford in the wider Forest of Dean community over the next four years, that will be sufficient reward. To achieve this, I will try to work with my fellow Councillors for the benefit of, and in service to, the electorate which I will be proud to serve to the best of my ability. |
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Cllr Dave
Atherley |
I retired from the West Midlands Police and moved to Berry Hill, Coleford in February 1990. I have worked in outdoor pursuits/camping for youth groups. Ran a B & B until condition changed regarding disabled access. Involved as a member of St Johns Church, Coleford PCC. I am also on the Deanery Synod for South Forest. Part time Invigilator for the Royal Forest of Dean College. I am married to Joan and have three sons, two who live in Tamworth and one in Brecon. We have 4 grandchildren, 2 boys and 2 girls. | Represents Council on Planning & Transport, Finance/Office and Public Safety Sub Committees; FODDC – Development Control; Police and Community Consultative Committee and Crime Reduction Group. | I would like to see improved low cost housing, good crime reduction. Events involving residents for their enjoyment such as Coleford Carnival of Transport, Coleford Music Festival, Coleford Christmas Illuminations. Increase tourism. To improve public conveniences. To help create a town the residents can be proud of. |
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Cllr Carole Allaway-Martin |
I have lived in Gloucestershire since 1974 and moved to Coleford in 1995. I work as a senior nurse specialising in mental health, in the Forest of Dean and lecture at the University of West of England, Hartpury Campus. I am a member of the WI, Forest of Dean Historical Association, Citizen Say and help at Dr Charley Luncheon Club (Coleford). I am married to Dennis who works in Cinderford and have a son Jonathan who attended Five Acres College and is now at the University of Gloucestershire. | Represents the Council on Amenities, Burial, Finance/Office, Planning & Transport and Public Safety Sub Committees; Stowfield Quarry Liaison Committee and Coleford Area MCTI Partnership. |
Elected to District Council, Forest of Dean in May 2007.
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Cllr Damion Collins |
I have lived in Coleford for over 10 years and reside in mile End. I work as a Street Warden for the Forest of Dean District Council and have done this for over 3 ˝ years. | Represents the Council on Amenities Sub Committee. | To see Coleford maintain its heritage but also help contribute in making it move forward and flourish. I would like to see more low cost housing and youth provision in the town put in place for generations to come. |
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Cllr Dave Atherly |
I retired from the West Midlands Police and moved to Berry Hill, Coleford in February 1990. I have worked in outdoor pursuits/camping for youth groups. Ran a B & B until condition changed regarding disabled access. Involved as a member of St Johns Church, Coleford PCC. I am also on the Deanery Synod for South Forest. Part time Invigilator for the Royal Forest of Dean College. I am married to Joan and have three sons, two who live in Tamworth and one in Brecon. We have 4 grandchildren, 2 boys and 2 girls. |
Represents Council on Planning & Transport, Finance/Office and Public Safety Sub Committees; FODDC – Development Control; Police and Community Consultative Committee and Crime Reduction Group. | I would like to see improved low cost housing, good crime reduction. Events involving residents for their enjoyment such as Coleford Carnival of Transport, Coleford Music Festival, Coleford Christmas Illuminations. Increase tourism. To improve public conveniences. To help create a town the residents can be proud of. |
Cllr Paul Kay |
I am 46 years old and married to Michelle, I have two sons Peter who attends the Royal Forest of Dean College and Robin who attends Lakers School. I have always lived in the Coleford area and have worked for Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service as a full-time fire-fighter for 30 years. | Represents the Council on Public Safety Sub Committee. | To keep supporting the Coleford Music Festival with financial help. To continue to put pressure on the District Council and Welsh Water to make major investments, to elevate the present sewer problems we have in Coleford every time it rains. To fight for more social housing in the Coleford area. |
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Cllr Chris Lusty |
My family and I have lived in Coleford for 22 years. My children attended local schools. I work full time in Cinderford for Gloucestershire County Council. | Represents Council on Public Safety Sub Committee; The Halls Charity; Bells Foundation and William Jones Charity. | I would like to see Coleford as a clean and safe environment for all those that live, work and visit the town. Also the sewer and flooding problems are solved and better provision for both our young and old. |
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Cllr Heather Lusty |
My family have lived in Coleford for 22 years, my children have attended local schools, St John’s and Lakers. I work part-time in Coleford. | Represents Council on Amenities, Burial and Planning & Transport Sub Committees; FODDC Planning: Development Control; Gloucestershire Market Towns Forum; St John’s School Governors; Forestry Commission Advisory Committee and Coleford Area Parish Forum. | I hope to achieve a town that is clean and attractive. A town that is welcoming to visitors and offering facilities for all ages. |
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Cllr Clive Elsmore |
I was born in Cardiff to Forest parents Cyril and Lorna Elsmore, my family returned to Coleford in 1948. Apart from a short absence for apprenticeship in Birmingham, I have lived and worked in the community since then, becoming a Councillor in 1986. | Represents Council on Amenities, Burial, Finance/Office, Planning & Transport and Public Safety Sub Committees; The Halls Charity; Forest Health Forum and Gloucestershire Rural Transport Partnership | Regeneration has been the watchword of the Council policy in recent years, continuing regeneration must be employed in the Coleford Community Centre Project, Clock Tower Project, King George V Pavilion and Playing Fields, Public Transport and effective provision for the interests of the young people of Coleford. |
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Cllr Richard Phelps |
I have lived in Coleford for 9 years moving here from Cheltenham. My Grandmother originally came from Mitcheldean so I have Forest roots. I am a member of the Green Party and am a campaigner for the White Ribbon campaign. | Represents Council on Amenities and Burial Sub Committees; FODDC Street Wardens Steering Group. | To see Coleford as a progressive town embracing ethical and green issues, giving good provision for young and old alike. To have an accessible Town Council and promote the work of the Town Council. To provide a Green Cemetery in Coleford. To develop a climate change strategy for Coleford. |
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Cllr Mike Weston |
I have lived in the area for 70 years. I am married to Barbara and have two children. My wife and I along with our daughter Claire have run a florist in Coleford for 35 years. I have been a Town Councillor for 25 years. I started my career as a barrow boy then became a bus conductor/driver for 10 years, worked for Formwood for 20 years. I served 5 ˝ years in the Army. | Represents Council on Planning & Transport (Highways) Sub Committee. Coleford Community Centre Management Committee. Organises many local whist drives. | I would like to see all the Local Authorities working together. To see the flooding problems solved also to see the continued problems with the culvert and brook at Whitecliff resolved. To continue to support local events, Coleford Carnival of Transport, Coleford Music Festival, Coleford Christmas Lights switch on etc. |
Cllr Julie Thorne |
I have lived in the forest all my life and have worked in Coleford for 5 years. I am involved in many aspects of support within the community. I work as a project worker. I enjoy music, reading and swimming. | I am interested in securing the best options and facilities for the town and its people. | |
Cllr Joanna Nicholson |
I moved to Coleford in September 2007
with my partner Sean and 14 month old son. I moved from Plymouth in
Devon to start a new job at Severn Wye Energy Agency, a local
sustainable energy charity, and to provide a better quality of life for
my family in a more rural environment. My job at SWEA involves working
with local authorities and housing associations, as well as community
groups and individuals, to reduce fuel bills, improve the standard of
housing, reduce carbon emissions and ultimately to help tackle climate
change. I am a keen environmentalist and am enjoying forest life. My family has discovered a new passion for walking and cycling in the forest, and I have found Coleford to be a very welcoming and friendly town to live in. I also enjoy scuba diving and snorkelling, and am keen violin player and hoping to join the FoD Orchestra soon. |
My main interests are in the environment and particularly sustainable energy and climate change. Due to the nature of my work I am also interested in the alleviation of poverty, building better communities and improving social inclusion at all levels. | Although a newcomer to Coleford, I hope I can bring a new perspective to the town council, especially with regards to green issues and building applications. I would like to help the Town Council initiate more community projects and hope I can use my knowledge of partnership working and funding sources to help us achieve our goals. |