Parish councillor news & an appeal: please join us!

What makes a great Councillor - Katrina Lyle

In May, we said goodbye to our longest-serving councillor, Katrina Lyle, after almost 10 years of service, the last 3 spent as Vice-Chair.

Katrina brought a huge amount of energy to her role, providing excellent support to our Chair, Paul Curry. Drawing on her legal expertise, she was also instrumental in establishing our Governance Committee, setting high standards for transparency and best practices across all our work.

Most recently, Katrina chaired the Amenities Committee with thoroughness and attention to detail, leaving it in great shape for her successor.

When we asked her fellow councillors what they would remember about Katrina, some common themes stood out: her calm, balanced presence, her wealth of local knowledge, and her humour! This comment says it all:

“When I joined the Council, Katrina was the first person I worked with on a specific project. Her intelligent analysis of issues, her rational approach in tackling them, and her sense of humour set my reference for how a good councillor should work.”

Thank you, Katrina!

Leaving The Chair But Not The Council - Paul Curry

Paul Curry has stood down as our Parish Council Chair, but we are all delighted that he will remain with us as a parish councillor.

Unfailingly hands-on, committed, positive, resourceful, and inclusive are some of the words his colleagues used to describe Paul. His informal and personal approach fostered effective team and partnership working, enabling us to make progress across many issues. He led the council with a positive, collaborative spirit, setting the tone for the rest of us to follow.

Paul will continue to chair the Planning Committee, and we hope to benefit from his wise contributions to the council for some time yet….

And now we need YOU!

We’re seeking to co-opt volunteers from across Speldhurst parish to become parish councillors. To fairly and fully represent the villages of Ashurst, Langton Green, Old Groombridge, and Speldhurst we need a full council of 13 members, and we currently have 3 vacancies to fill.

You may think the comings and goings of the parish council don’t affect you, but actually they play a role in multiple aspects of your daily life. Our councillors help make decisions on many issues, from the amenities we provide to highways, planning, and more. They attend meetings, vote on key matters, and get hands-on with working groups, local footpaths, or Community Speedwatch.

Not only is this work essential for the parish, but councillors also find it deeply rewarding. Some find it boosts their CV, others enjoy applying their skills and experience to a new challenge after retirement, and all value meeting new people and contributing in a welcoming setting. Finally, while it's not voluntary work in the strictest sense, it offers the same sense of fulfilment.

Remember, the parish council is entirely made up of residents from Speldhurst parish, which means we are only as strong as YOU make us!

If, after reading this post, you feel even a glimmer of interest, get in touch! There are several ways you can do this:

📞Call our Clerk, Katie Neve on 01892862927/07760 769513 for an informal chat about what the role involves, or email clerk@speldhurstparishcouncil.gov.uk

👋🏼Pop into the council office (office location and hours listed on our Contact page), our clerking team would love to see you.

💻Take a look at our website and find out more about how co-option works: Elections & Co-options - Speldhurst Parish Council - Speldhurst Parish Council, Speldhurst, Tunbridge Wells

📃Come to our next Full Council Meeting on Monday, 7th July at 7.30 pm in Ashurst Village Hall.