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Councillors & Officers
Councillors are elected for a period of four years, the next election being in May 2011. Bye elections can occur before this date if there is a resignation.
The Council consists of 18 councillors who cover the 6 wards of Hebden Royd.
The Chair of the Council is the Town Mayor, elected annually, at the Annual Meeting of the Town Council held in May each year. The current Mayor is Cllr Robin Dixon. and the Deputy Mayor is Cllr Lesley Jones.
The Full Council meets 16 times a year and considers environmental issues, including planning applications, and general issues. There is also a meeting for electors known as the Annual Town Meeting. There are three committees: the Allotments, Environmental Renaissance and Staffing Committees. Other committees and working parties are set as required by the Council.
The Annual Town Meeting is a meeting of the electors of Hebden Royd, chaired by the Town Mayor, at which any elector can raise and vote on any issue of importance to the area.
The council has an office in the Council Office in Hebden Bridge staffed by the Clerk, Jason Boom, the Neighbourhood Manager (currently unfilled position) and Mayor's Secretary and Admin. Officer, Christine Jackson.
Cllr Rev James Allison - White Lee WardBorn in Shipley.
Trained in Manchester and London.
Worked as a community worker in Inner city Manchester and as a Church of England Priest in Walkden, Huddersfield University.
I live in Mytholmroyd with my wife and three children aged: 12, 16 and 18
Currently vicar of Mytholmroyd and Cragg Vale.
Governor of Cragg, Scout Road, and Calder High School.
A Director of UCVR, Royd Regeneration, Hebden Royd Partnership.
I have lots of interests including Youth and children's Provision and the right kind of development for each of our Hebden Royd communities.
Email: james.allison@hebdenroyd.org.uk
Cllr Christine Bampton-Smith - Caldene Ward
After the election in May I began my 20th year as a Hebden Royd Town Councillor and am now the longest serving member. I have seen considerable changes over the years in the role played by the Council and in the personalities who have made a contribution to the community through service with the Council.
My most challenging year was 2002-2003 when I was honoured by being selected as Mayor of the Council. The rewards were enormous in meeting so many people who contribute so much of their time and efforts into improving our wonderful area.
Over the years I have also been involved in the wider Parish and Town Council movement and have represented the Council as South Pennine Branch member and Yorkshire Rural Community Council.
I am committed to bring sustainability to our area and and am a member of the Environmental Renaissance Committee. It is vital to keep all our sevices in our Rural Area.
My family and I have lived in Hebden Royd for the last thirty years.
Email: christine.bampton-smith@hebdenroyd.org.uk
Cllr John Beacroft Mitchell - Cragg Vale Ward
Email: john.beacroftmitchell@hebdenroyd.org.uk
Cllr Christine Davenport - Cragg Vale
Elected 3rd July 2009
Email: christine.davenport@hebdenroyd.org.uk
Cllr Christopher Sawer - West End Ward
Chris was elected to Hebden Royd Town Council in August 2008. He lives in Hebden Bridge and represents West End ward for the Liberal Democrats. He is particularly interested in the environment, public transport, and planning issues which affect the local area. He has spoken on several occasions at the Liberal Democrats' national conference on subjects ranging from transport to education.
Chris says: "Hebden Royd is a wonderful area in which to live, and the Town Council provides a huge benefit to the community, particularly through grants to local groups and environmental improvements. Councillors are all volunteers, so all this is provided at very little cost to the taxpayer. I am keen for this to continue in the future, and for local people to become more aware of the work done by the council."
Email: chris.sawer@hebdenroyd.org.uk
Cllr Lesley Jones - Fairfield Ward
I have been privileged to grow up in Hebden Royd and have seen dramatic changes over the years that have resulted in the Hebden Royd that we all know now. As part of that growing up, I attended both Stubbings and Calder High Schools, serving as a parent Governer at Stubbings and spending many years as Secretary of Nursery Action Group (Formerly Moss Lane Community Nursery, now Crossley Mill).
I live on Palace House Road with my husband and our two teenage daughters.
The town council is the main link between the residents of Hebden Royd and Calderdale council and one of our roles is to make sure that the Town Council is properly represented in the wider decision making process.
As a Councillor, one of my main roles is to provide that all important day to day link for the people of Hebden Royd so they can feel confident that their Town Council is working effectively on their behalf.
I am a member of the Environmental and Renaissance, Strategy and Review and Bridge 500 Committees and I am currently Chair of the Twinning Committee. In addition I chair the recently formed Young Peoples Working Party and also regularly attend the local Police and Communities Together meetings and the Calderdale Upper Valley Ward Forums. Externally I represent the Town Council on the Hebden Bridge Partnership and am currently acting Secretary of the Friends of Calder Holmes Park group. For the last two years I have been the Town Council representative on Calderdale MBC Standards Committee.
Email: lesley.jones@hebdenroyd.org.uk
Cllr Robin Dixon - West End Ward
I was born in Ashtead Surrey in June 1944, under the stairs during an air raid. I trained at Guildford School of Art and worked as a designer until 1980, when I trained as a teacher in Leeds working mostly in Bradford, teaching Technology. After twenty five years of teaching I retired and am thoroughly enjoying my work as a Councillor on Hebden Royd Town Council. I am Chair of the 500 Anniversary and Strategy / Review Committees. The latter is a new committee which is concerned with improving Council management and development. The former is of course very exciting as we are now celebrating the development of Hebden Royd focusing on the Packhorse Bridge. My work as Deputy Mayor this year has given me an opportunity to represent the Council and Hebden Royd on many occasions. A highlight being Yorkshire Day where I was very privileged to meet the Archbishop of York.
I have lived in Hebden Bridge for 22 years and have recently become a Trustee for the Hebden Bridge Community Association. The development of the Council offices in to a vibrant community facility is a worthwhile and fascinating challenge.
Email: robin.dixon@hebdenroyd.org.uk
No profile received for this member.
Email: michelle.foster@hebdenroyd.org.uk
Cllr Nader Fekri - West End Ward
Nader is a History lecturer by profession. On Hebden Royd Town Council he is a ward councillor for West End ward and a Calderdale councillor for Calder ward. He is a school governor at Riverside School, and a magistrate on the Calderdale Bench.
He believes that town and parish councils are vital as the tier of local government closest to people and would encourage anyone to seek involvement.
He is married and has three sons. In his spare time he enjoys solving cryptic crosswords, reading modern European detective fiction, and following the trials and tribulations of Tranmere Rovers.
Email: naderfekri@hotmail.com
Cllr Scott Trickett - Cragg Vale Ward
Scott was elected onto Hebden Royd Council for the Cragg Vale Ward in May 2007.
Brought up in the Orkney Islands, he understands fully the importance of Community in the area in which we live. This is particularly important in rural and semi rural locations such as ours in Cragg Vale, Mytholmroyd and Hebden Bridge where people need a sense of belonging to their environment.
Scott made Cragg Vale his home in 1996 and together with his wife Amy, they have three children, Marcus, Emily and Natalie. He is also an active member of the Parish Church Council in Cragg Vale. Scott is a founding member of the Cragg Vale Community Association.
Scott, a Graduate Engineer, speaks fluent German. During his time in the area he has helped bring significant manufacturing export business to the Calder Valley. Through his international business activities he continually seeks to promote the Cragg Vale, Mytholmroyd and Hebden Bridge area. Scott says "I have brought many international business people to the Hebden Royd area over many years now, all of my visitors simply love the area and many of them have said that they would return on holiday. This is something we should all be very proud of and encourage us as Councilors to preserve/enhance the special characteristics of the Hebden Royd area.
Throughout his time in the area Scott has continually campaigned about traffic/pedestrian safety in Cragg Vale and Mytholmroyd area. He has led a community petition, and letter writing campaigns from local residents, schools and businesses.
“I fell totally in love with this area when I came here, it is a great area to live and bring up children. My simple goal is for a safe environment for our children to live and play in and to preserve / enhance the special characteristics of our community and area in Hebden Royd” says Scott.
Scott also says “I feel very proud and privileged being a Councilor in Hebden Royd Town Council”
Email: scott.trickett@hebdenroyd.org.uk
Cllr Gian Gabbi - White Lee Ward
Known as John, a former Managing Director of Duvatex(MYD) LTD for 27 years and Personnel and Training Manager of MODERNA MODERNA LTD of MYTHOLMROYD 19 YEARS. Gian has worked and lived in Mytolmroyd since 1962 when he arrived in England, to visit his friend in Halifax, on his way to USA for further study but fell in love with the area and has been here ever since.
As a Ward councillor, Gian is committed to continuing Regeneration of Hebden Royd and sits on the Staffing Committee and Internally Audits Council’s Accounts.
Outside Council’s duties Gian is a Director of UCVR,Royd Regeneration, Chairman of Mytholmrod Gala Committee, Treasurer of Calderdale Interfaith Council, Gen.Sec of Calderdale Indian Welfare and Cultural Association and Treasurer of Huddersfield Fartown Sikh Temple.
Email: gian.gabbi@hebdenroyd.org.uk
Cllr Janet Oosthuysen - Birchcliffe Ward
Janet Oosthuysen was born in South Africa but came to England almost immediately. She lived in London, Gloucestershire and Manchester before moving to Hebden Bridge with her 3 children in 1998. She was elected as Labour councillor for Birchcliffe ward to the Town Council in 2007.
She is currently chair of the Community Funding Committee, and a member of the Allotments, Bridge 500th Anniversary, Environmental Renaissance/Parks & Paths Committees as well as Town Council rep. for; Community Car Share Scheme, Friends of Calder Holmes Park, Fair Trade Forum, Swimming Pool Association, West Yorkshire Rural Transport Partnership and the Yorkshire Local Councils’ Associations.
She says “ I very much enjoy being a Town Councillor with the involvement it gives me in your local community. It’s the one tier of government that is immediately accessible to everyone and done by volunteers. Do get in touch with me and other Councillors about how we can work together to improve our town”.
Email: janet.oosthuysen@hebdenroyd.org.uk
Cllr Karl Boggis - Caldene Ward
Liberal
Karl was born in Hebden Bridge moving to Mytholmroyd when he was four years old. He attended Burnley Road and Calder High School. He is perhaps best known for having run the Bridge End chip shop in Mytholmroyd and for his service to Calder Valley Youth theatre, St Michael’s Amateurs and Hebden Bridge Light Opera Society. He was elected in March 2008.
He currently sits on the Community Funding Committee, Strategy and Review Committee, allotments committee and represents the Town Council on Mytholmroyd Gala committee and Royd Regeneration.
Karl says “I feel very priviledged to serve the community I have grown up in.”
Email: karl.boggis@hebdenroyd.org.uk
Cllr Susan Press - Fairfield Ward
Labour
Councillor for Fairfield ward since 2003, Deputy Mayor 2007-8 and Town Mayor 2008-9. Freelance journalist by profession and moved to Hebden Bridge in 1996. Labour Party member for over 30 years and national Vice-Chair of the Labour Representation Committee, which campaigns in the Labour Party for socialist policies.
Email: susan.press@hebdenroyd.org.uk
Cllr Dr Michael Smith - Caldene Ward
I decided to stand for Hebden Royd Town Council in May 2003, having been aware for a number of years, of the work the Council was involved in and the help it has given to local groups. I considered it important to stand as an Independent and be able to make decisions on their merit.
It was an honour to be elected in a contested vote for the Caldene Ward, and on Hebden Royd I serve on the Development Environment and Amenities Committee. My particular interest is in planning issues.
My previous Council experience was to serve on the Education Committee of Salford for several years. My professional life has revolved around Educationa and I have worked at a number of Universities in the field of Management and Sociological Research. My most recent post was as Professor of Management at the University of Swaziland.
I have lived in the Calder Valley area since 1973 with my family in Cragg Vale and Mytholmroyd.
Email: michael.smith@hebdenroyd.org.uk
Cllr Jade Smith - White Lee Ward
Liberal Hebden Royd Town Councillor
Jade has lived in Hebden Royd for nearly twenty years, moving to the area from Nottingham where she completed her social work training. She was elected in March 2008.
She currently serves on the Community Funding committee, the Environmental Renaissance Committee and the Strategy and Review Committee. She represents the Town Council on Mytholmroyd Community Association, Hebden Bridge Camera Club, Pennine Housing Upper Valley Housing committee and the West Yorkshire Police Forum. She is a director of Royd Regeneration and the Redacre Growing project; a Member of the Calderdale Disability Partnership and sits on the Physical Disability and Sensory Impairment Board for Calderdale.
Email: jade.smith@hebdenroyd.org.uk
Cllr Catherine Groves - Fairfield Ward
No profile received for this member.
Email: catherine.groves@hebdenroyd.org.uk
Cllr Dave Young - Birchcliffe Ward
Elected as LABOUR Councillor for Birchcliffe Ward in May 2003. Cllr Dave Young is 100% committed to the Town Council as the nearest tier of Local Government to the people.
Dave is Chair of the Staffing Committee, Environmental Renaissance Working Party and the Labour Group.
Dave also sits on the Central Street Working Party and the Full Council.
Email: dave.young@hebdenroyd.org.uk
