Your Team

Our councillors represent you on both Portishead Town Council and North Somerset Council.”

PORTISHEAD TOWN COUNCIL COUNCILLORS

NORTH SOMERSET COUNCIL COUNCILLORS

PORTISHEAD TOWN COUNCIL:

North Ward

My family has lived in Portishead since 1994. Our two daughters went to High Down and Gordano. I am semi-retired as an emeritus professor at Bristol University having previously led a small research group and been involved in national and international policy making in the areas of mental health and wellbeing. I was a trustee for the Samaritans for 3 years and was recently a volunteer vaccinator during COVID.
Our family loves living in Portishead and contributing to activities such as the Open Air Pool, where I was one of the first trustees. I want to help our community flourish in challenging times and am passionate about preserving our green spaces, tackling climate change, improving mental health and reducing inequalities. If you elect me I will work tirelessly for you.”

North Ward

I was born in Portishead 55 years ago. Five generations of my family have lived here and I love the great community spirit. I am a care worker at Norewood Lodge and regularly organise fun activity sessions for the residents there. I have been Town and District Councillor for North Ward for 4 years.
As Town Councillor I have been really pleased to lead on bringing the Slade Road Woodland Play Area back to life after years of neglect. I hope everyone enjoys the new slide - the longest in the District apparently!
At District I am the Chair of the Adult Services and Social Housing committee where I do all I can to ensure that local people get the support they need and deserve. My aim is simply to help people and continue to deliver community projects using the expertise that we have in our town.

South Ward

I grew up in Newhaven and have been lucky to live in Portishead for the last 14 years. I love the great community spirit and traditions combined with being a modern town. I work at Avonmouth and am a keen amateur kite-boarder and photographer. You may have seen me around taking photos to help community groups publicise their activities. I help run the Portbury Hundred Clean Up group which clears up litter along the road.
I have been a councillor for 4 years and will continue the battle to get rid of council red tape and stuffiness and give everyone a voice by involving ordinary people in solving issues we have in the town like the lack of public transport and more improvements needed to the Lake Grounds. I am currently campaigning for improved bus services.

South Ward

Born in North Weston, I live there now with my wife and grandson. Our two adopted children both in their 20s also live in North Somerset. I work from home as a Service Delivery Manager managing global IT contracts, with Weston Big Wood outside my office window. I am a member of the North Weston Big Wood Steering Group.
I have been a Town Councillor since October 2021. If re-elected, I will work with local people and groups to deliver on those issues which affect us all. I have been leading on the work by our Town Council to establish a community hub to provide assistance to individuals and wellbeing groups. A priority for me will be to continue helping to improve the health and wellbeing of all residents with an emphasis on children and mental health.

East Ward

I have lived my whole life in North Somerset. I was born in Weston-Super-Mare and moved to Portishead in 1991. I am married with grown up children, two of which are in the Emergency services. I also have seven grand children. I worked for forty years as a uniformed Police Officer and upon retiring in 2014 I joined the NHS as a Response driver supporting the Emergency Doctor Service.
Last year I was voted in by the town's residents to represent them in the East ward and the rest of the Town. I have taken on the challenge whole heartedly, and in applying my lifetime of public service experience this has helped me to address some of the issues in the town such as anti-social/nuisance behaviour, criminal damage and thefts. In partnership with local agencies such as the Police and North Somerset Council Community Team I have been visiting shops in the town and making suggestions on measures to be taken to reduce and prevent the criminality and nuisance behaviour and examine its root causes. I have located owners of abandoned/untaxed/uninsured vehicles, located offenders for fly tipping. I have dealt with complaints in regards to licensed premises.
I have achieved quite a lot in just over six months but there is still a lot to do and I would be honoured to be allowed to continue my work of trying to enhance the life quality of the residents of this town.

East Ward

I am a health and safety professional often seen around town with my wife and young son. You will also see me helping out with the Christmas lights, Victorian Fayre and other events. I am privileged to have been a councillor since 2019 and I am also a Director of the WASP Skate Park Group.
I am really passionate about helping our wonderful community groups and am proud to have chaired the Town Council Grants and Community Matters committees which have provided funds to many groups. There is still much to do to build more facilities for our children, support local businesses and help people through the cost-of-living crisis and to bring back the key decisions that affect Portishead into the hands of Portishead residents. Thank you for your support over the last 4 years.

East Ward

My name is Janet Davey, and I was extremely honoured to have been elected as a councillor for the past four years. I would love it if I could be a councillor for another four years, as I can see that there is so much still to be done. I have worked with Tim Snaden in the North Ward to address issues such as drains, and also as a ward committee member for the Lake Grounds, for which we have received an improvement grant from the Great Lakes Fund.
Since becoming a councillor I have been instrumental in setting up a Heritage Centre in the Folk Hall, which now houses artifacts and documents that preserve the history of our town, including a time line written by Sandy Tebbutt. I have also been instrumental in helping to start a Wellness Partnership. Last year we were awarded £53,000 of government funding and were able to set up a wellness hub, which offered help to many local residents, who were able to access help groups free of charge. We are now working to move this project onto a long term footing, including help with cost of living and the provision of warm spaces.
If re-elected I wish to continue working on the Wellness Partnership and also to address provision for young people in our town, and to make sure our town centre stays attractive to businesses and visitors.

East Ward

I moved to Portishead with my family in the 1960’s and until recently I ran a Portishead retail business - two of my siblings still own shops on the High Street. I chair the Gordano Civic Society, am a Sustrans Ranger for the local section of the National Cycle Network and a volunteer at Portbury Dock ‘Seafarers Centre’. I enjoy walking, cycling all things railways and more besides.
I will work to help Portishead becomes more self-sustainable and less of a dormitory town to Bristol and I will continue the good work done by Portishead Independents to support everyone in the town without the baggage of a political party.

East Ward

I have lived in Portishead most of my life, attending High Down school and then Gordano, and my 2 children attended St Peters School and then Gordano. I have worked in Portishead for over 30 years and own the computer and printing shop in the High Street.
As an independent town councillor I have been working hard to help bring improvements to our facilities and infrastructure. I am proud of the achievements of this council which has in the last 4 years brought many improvements to Portishead, not least of all the new Skate Park at the Lake Grounds.
If re-elected to PTC I will continue to fight for both improvements and new facilities. I am also standing for election to North Somerset Council where, if elected, I intend to work with the Executive to bring the Lake Grounds back under the control of PTC so that local people can have a real say in how this area is maintained and improved.
Over the years I have been involved in a number of local projects and campaigns including the Open Air Pool, which continues to bring joy to thousands of people each year. I am passionate about Portishead and in ensuring that our services and infrastructure are up to our expectations.

West Ward

I moved to Portishead in 1999 from Wiltshire and immediately loved the welcoming and warm community spirit. Initially, I took a job as a mental health nurse at the old Barrow Hospital. Since its closure I have worked in various mental health roles with the prison service and am currently employed by HMP Bristol.
Outside of work I am an active volunteer and fundraiser for the Claws and Paws Animal Rescue charity which has found good homes in the local area for thousands of dogs, cats and other animals over the years. I am standing as I want to work together with the local community to help people going through hard times. My experience tells me that mental health and wellbeing is not something that can be improved in isolation, instead it needs people to work together. As well as wellbeing, I am also passionate about preserving or increasing the amount of common land to be enjoyed by people and am pleased to see that the Golf Course is now protected for the future as a Town/Village Green.
I firmly believe that we should trust local people to know what is best for them and work to help them achieve their goals rather than having things imposed upon them.

West Ward

Along with my family, I settled in Portishead 20 years ago, I am a logistics specialist and run a small family business serving companies in the transport sector. In 2020, I worked with other sterling volunteers to help steer our Covid-19 community response which supported hundreds of Portishead residents. From that experience I learned what can be achieved by people coming together to support each other.
I am passionate about getting things done, if elected I will strive to support all of our community groups and businesses and contribute to the positive change which Portishead Independents has brought.

West Ward

I moved to Portishead when I was three and it has since been my home for fifteen years. I love every single thing about the town, from the bustling High Street to the stunning Nature Reserve. I have been very fortunate in growing up here with all of opportunities that Portishead has to offer.
I work for Avon Fire and Rescue at their headquarters and I have aspirations to become a firefighter in the near future. I am motivated to serve and support my community which is why I would like to become a councillor for Portishead.
If I was elected, I would ensure that the needs of the younger generation were also met, and provide them with a voice so that their ideas and concerns do not go unnoticed. I believe that it is important for every age group to be represented within Portishead Council.

West Ward

I have lived in the West Ward since my wife and I moved to Portishead from London in 1992. The town was recommended to us by friends already here, and we have never regretted our move. The town has such a strong sense of community. We have two children and three grandchildren, who all enjoy coming to the town. Most of my working life has been in finance in industry. My last role was as Director of Finance for Bristol Water. Since retiring in 2009 I have been treasurer for some years with Portishead in Bloom, a member of Portishead Twinning Association and for the last thirteen years I have supported Weston Hospicecare as a trustee and Chair of the Finance Committee.
I am particularly concerned about the erosion of the Bristol green belt, the slow deterioration of our High Street, and the inadequate development of infrastructure, especially road and rail links that have failed to keep pace with our population growth. I want to build upon the sterling work already done by Portishead Independents, preserving the character of our town and preventing it from becoming just another suburb of Bristol.

West Ward

My links with Portishead span some forty years, where I was lucky enough to be a recipient of the cultural and community benefits of this vibrant town. Many of my friends still live here, together with some of my former students. I am currently involved with the local dog rescue charity, both as supporter and collection driver, dog walks along the coastal path and the grounds around the lake being an added benefit. I have worked in North Somerset for over forty years, as front line ambulance crew, then as lecturer at the College of Art, committee member and also as a lecturer for the Carers Association. As a carer myself, I am keen to facilitate care for the elderly and the isolated of the community. Having to deal with people in stressful and unfortunate situations, together with the pastoral care that comes with teaching, brings with it a wealth of practical skills, plus compassion and understanding, for the benefit of the residents within the community. I can offer the experience of a lifetime working with people at all levels and I am passionate about supporting individuals and groups within the whole community, building on the work already carried out in the town and initiatives such as enhancing the arts and sculpture trail as an attraction. If elected I would be proud to be a voice for the residents of this unique town, independent of party politics. .

NORTH SOMERSET COUNCIL:

North Ward

I was born in Portishead 55 years ago. Five generations of my family have lived here and I love the great community spirit. I am a care worker at Norewood Lodge and regularly organise fun activity sessions for the residents there. I have been Town and District Councillor for North Ward for 4 years.
As Town Councillor I have been really pleased to lead on bringing the Slade Road Woodland Play Area back to life after years of neglect. I hope everyone enjoys the new slide - the longest in the District apparently!
At District I am the Chair of the Adult Services and Social Housing committee where I do all I can to ensure that local people get the support they need and deserve. My aim is simply to help people and continue to deliver community projects using the expertise that we have in our town.

East Ward

I have lived in Portishead most of my life, attending High Down school and then Gordano, and my 2 children attended St Peters School and then Gordano. I have worked in Portishead for over 30 years and own the computer and printing shop in the High Street.
As an independent town councillor I have been working hard to help bring improvements to our facilities and infrastructure. I am proud of the achievements of this council which has in the last 4 years brought many improvements to Portishead, not least of all the new Skate Park at the Lake Grounds.
If re-elected to PTC I will continue to fight for both improvements and new facilities. I am also standing for election to North Somerset Council where, if elected, I intend to work with the Executive to bring the Lake Grounds back under the control of PTC so that local people can have a real say in how this area is maintained and improved.
Over the years I have been involved in a number of local projects and campaigns including the Open Air Pool, which continues to bring joy to thousands of people each year. I am passionate about Portishead and in ensuring that our services and infrastructure are up to our expectations.

West Ward

I moved to Portishead in 2017 from Bristol with my family and my two children, now both studying at Gordano school. I work as a supply teacher and am always interested in working with children. I have been a District and Town Councillor for the last four years and I am a trustee of Portishead Youth Centre. I am also the Chair of the Committee that runs the Portishead Arts festival, ArtPort.
One of my passions is to ensure we conserve our green, open spaces, where our children can play and wildlife can flourish, and I am pleased to have played a small part in ensuring that the old Golf Course is now protected as a Community space after being awarded Town and Village Green status. I have lobbied hard to ensure that Slade Road Playing field can be maintained as a community asset rather than being developed and will continue to do so if re-elected. I also want to help make Brackenwood woodland, which was recently purchased by the Town Council, an area to be enjoyed by local people and visitors alike. I will continue to champion women’s rights and be a voice for women in Portishead and across North Somerset and I will continue to make child safeguarding an issue that is front and centre of Council Policy.

WHAT ARE OUR CORE VALUES?

INDEPENDENCE
• We are not affiliated to any national political party
• We will make up our own mind about every decision based on our engagement with and understanding of the needs of the Portishead Community.
• We will promote positive change and discard outdated systems in pursuit of this goal.

RESPECT
• We will embrace our differences and encourage appropriate contributions from all parts of the Portishead Community.
• We will work in good faith with councillors, residents and other organisations to find creative solutions to problems.
• We will listen attentively without interruption or distraction and thank people for their contributions.
• We will communicate in a professional and thoughtful way whatever the circumstances.

INTEGRITY
• We will be honest and transparent
• We will explain the decisions we take and accept full responsibility for their consequences.
• We will deliver on our promises or explain if we are unable to meet our commitments.