Staffing

Chris Turrell

I have represented Harmans Water on Bracknell Town Council since 2000, and have been Leader of the Council since 2004. I chair the Finance & General Purpose Committee and the Staffing Committee. My main aim is to see that the Council continues to give value for money in providing quality services. It is important to keep up standards in its parks, play areas, allotments and other activities. The Council also has an important role in supporting local groups and South Hill Park through grants. Bracknell Town Council is also a distinctive voice for Bracknell Town.

Gill Birch

I have been a Town Councillor for 11 years and am proud that the town council aims to keep all our green open spaces maintained to a very high standard to promote the well-being of residents. We have employed an Environmental Warden whose job is to make sure that all our open spaces and play areas are free of litter, dog mess and well maintained.

Jennie McCracken

Married with two daughters, I have lived in Bracknell Forest for over 35 years and served the community as a Councillor for 11 years.

First elected in 2000 I was elected Town Mayor and again in 2002. I have served on all the Council committees.

In 2007 I became a Borough councillor and am currently the Vice Chairman of Corporate Parenting. In 2008 I led a ground-breaking and highly commended Working Party on English as an Additional Language (EAL).

In 2010 I led the Safeguarding Children Working Party involving senior representatives of the Police, NHS, Local Safeguarding Children’s Board and Head teachers of our primary and secondary schools. The resulting report is considered an example of best practice for other Authorities.

Roger Meakes

As a Town Councillor for Great Hollands South ward, I have already made the pledge to serve the community to the best of his ability, without bias or prejudice. I welcome any enquiries from members of the community of my ward and indeed anywhere else within the town of Bracknell if they are so inclined. If any enquiry is made within my ward and remit, I will endeavour to resolve the issue. If the issue falls outside of my remit I will pass the details to a colleage who is better able to handle any such enquiry and will then follow the enquiry through to its\' conclusion.

I make no apologies - I am a no nonsense councillor, so what you see is what you get.

Living in Great Hollands myself, I have seen some disappointing declines in standards over the years by some of the residents. I hope to start to reverse the trend. I understand that it can be a little awkward and fractious living next to someone that considers it OK to throw rubbish out into a garden, front or rear. I may not be able to resolve all problems but it will not be for the lack of trying.

I am here to serve you so do not be afraid to seek my help. You voted for me, so please use me!

Mary Temperton

I have now served on Bracknell Town Council for over 30 years. I am proud of our superb play areas and well maintained recreation grounds. I am also proud of the fact that we still employ our own workforce - who take pride in maintaining the highest standards.

Bracknell Town Council has taken over responsibility for Bracknell in Bloom, organising the Celebrating Woods day and the Teddy Bears\' Picnic.

I will continue to ensure everything the council does is of the highest standard and for the benefit of all.

Jo Woodcock

Firstly, I would like to thank everyone who voted for me as a Councillor representing Great Hollands South, for Bracknell Town Council. I will endeavour to represent everyone within the ward to the best of my ability.

Although I am a relative newcomer to Bracknell, I soon realised that has environmentally been missing from other towns in which I\'ve lived over many years. My timing into local politics seems to be perfect, now that Bracknell regeneration is visibly under way. I think we will all benefit from the new town and believe that Bracknell will be a great place to live, work and play!

I retired from HR Corporate life a few years ago, whilst retaining an avid interest in community affairs and local and national politics in general. In addition I continue with my other passion, albeit part-time now, of helping people with their health and well-being through nutrition and lifestyle choices.

I consider it a privilege to be part of Great Hollands South ward and welcome any suggestions as to how I may specifically help with any local issues you may have.

Paul Bidwell

I have lived in the Bracknell ward of Priestwood for eight years, moving to Berkshire from Essex in 1996. A lifelong Labour supporter, I am also a trustee of a local elderly day centre and am especially interested in ensuring that the elderly of Bracknell have access to quality services that allow those over 65 to enjoy a safe and full life.

I combine my support of Labour, Trusteeship with a full-time job delivering ICT services to Local Authorities across the UK and have worked in Europe and the USA. I am married with three children and combine my family with a passion for sport and the arts.

Clive Harrison

I have been a Town Councillor since 2011 and lived in Bracknell for eight years. I enjoy representing and helping people and promoting the good work and services that Bracknell Town Council provides.

I very much appreciate my re-election by the good people of Crown Wood, and look forward to being of assistance to them in the years ahead.

Paula-Elizabeth Pooler

I have been a Bracknell Town Councillor for the last 4 years and have lived in the Old Bracknell Ward for 27 years. I am married with two adult children who were educated at Wildridings and then Easthampstead Park School. I was a parent governor at Easthampstead Park, sitting on the Special Educational Needs (SEN) Committee as I am myself Dyslexic.

In 1975 I qualified as a Nursery Nurse, working in boarding schools as a matron. In 1980 I qualified as a State Registered Nurse at Thomas Guys Hospital in London. Since then I have continued to work as a paediatric (children’s) nurse.

My particular interest is in public health, health education and safety. I was a committee member for Links moving on to the Berkshire East Health Panel. I am an active member and Champion at my GP surgery. I\'m also a member of NPC (National Pensioners Convention).

I always prefer to walk locally. This provides a great opportunity to keep in touch with the community. You can always find me chatting to residents I meet along the way - listening to their concerns or issues they raise. I am also a keen observer of our surroundings, and actively report any issues to the appropriate departments at BTC, BFC, BFH, the Police and so on. I always make a point of reporting back to the residents the outcome of our actions.

My hobbies, in addition to walking, are restoring and maintaining our fleet of fire appliances, and spending as much time as possible with our dog Storm!