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The Parish Council is the first level of government, with representation closest to the electors. We deal with local issues which specifically affect Birchington. All councillors must either work or live in or close by the village.
Parish councillors receive no remuneration. They are all volunteers who willingly give their time and skills for the benefit of the village. The only paid staff member is Colette Coleman, our part time clerk. Unlike District and County Councillors, Parish Councillors do not bring any political allegiances to their work. All Council business is strictly controlled. Councillors must declare in writing any personal interest and abstain from debating and voting on matters which affect them or their families. The activities of the council are controlled by the law and our finances are regularly audited by the National Audit Commission.
Parish Councils
give views, on behalf of the community, on planning applications and other proposals that affect the parish
undertake projects and schemes that benefit local residents
work in partnership with other bodies to achieve benefits for the parish
alert relevant authorities to problems that arise or work that needs to be undertaken
and help the other tiers of local government keep in touch with their local communities
Iris Bedwell -
Parish Councillor since 1986. Chairman of the Publicity Committee. Resident in Birchington since marrying a local boy 65 years ago. A successful business woman in the Village for many years. Long serving Chairman/President of Birchington Chamber of Commerce and of the Carnival Association.
Jack Cohen -
Elected to Parish in 2003. Jack Cohen is a retired dental surgeon who spent his professional career in the School Dental Service, the NHS and the Regular Army. Associated with East Kent all his life, he has a deep appreciation of the countryside and the importance of protecting our environment for future generations. He is strong on law and order and a keen supporter of Neighbourhood Watch.
Dennis Cooper -
Parish Councillor since 1997, Chairman of the Projects Committee. Retired diplomat associated with Birchington for thirty five years. Active in other local organisations, with strong interest in law and order (as Chairman of Thanet Neighbourhood Watch), special needs education and leisure facilities.
Jean Fleming -
Jean was elected to the Parish Council in 2007. She has lived in Birchington since 1973 and for more than forty years has been totally involved in all aspects of animal welfare. She also feels very strongly about the erosion of our green spaces.
Julie Francis -
Long serving Parish Councillor since 1986, Chairman of Planning Committee. Former teacher with strong interest and involvement in local affairs, she is a former Chairman of the Thanet Area Association of Parish Councils and is a member of the Kent Association of Parish Councils. She has been Chair of the Planning Committee for a number of years.
John Garland -
Parish Councillor since 1996, Chairman of the Council 2003 through 2008 and Chairman of Finance & Establishment Committee. Retired Master Mariner. Believes strongly in importance of the Parish Council as the grassroots of democracy in the Village. He has maintained a house in Birchington with his family for the past 35 years.
Roger Latchford -
Elected to both Parish and District Councils in the 2003 elections. Roger, who is the third generation of his family to live in Thanet, has recently disposed of his consultancy in Germany to live full time in the village. He has worked in various countries around the world whilst serving in the army where he rose to the rank of Lt Colonel managing logistics. He is keen to put something back into his family community.
Margaret Sheldrick -
Co-opted to Parish Council in 2002 and elected to both Parish and District Councils for Birchington South in 2003. Margaret moved to the village from London where she had been an elected member of a London Borough Council. She has a long association with Birchington and takes a very keen interest in local government. She was made Chairman of TDC Licensing Board in May 2003, a post she held until May 2009 Then voted in as Chairman of TDC in 2009. Margaret says her heart is in Birchington and she will always put her ward work first.
Brian White -
Brian was co-opted to the Parish Council in January 2004 and elected in 2007. Brian is Chairman of BPC. He has lived in the village since the early 90`s. An engineer by profession, he has recently retired and is keen to “put something back” into the community. He is a prominent member and worker for the Royal British Legion and belongs to a number of other village organisations.
John Worrow -
John Worrow was elected to the Parish Council in 2007. John was born in Kent and has lived in Thanet since 1979. He runs a local business and belongs to a number of community organisations, including the Birchington Village Partnership of which he is chairman.
