Meet the Council

Serving Our Community

67 High Street, Willington, Co Durham. DL15 0PF

t: 01388 417725 e: gwtc@live.co.uk

Town Mayor: Councillor Fraser Tinsley

Town Clerk: Mrs Helen Cogdon

Meet the Council

Elected Representatives

Volunteer members of the town council are working on behalf of local residents to improve conditions across the area wherever possible.

Although there are financial constraints on our expenditure we promise to spend what we have prudently and seek to persuade and influence other organisations to use their budgets to support our aspirations across a range of interests and services.

Council Meetings are once per month and you can download the relevant minutes as they become available.

Members of the public are welcome to attend and observe any of the council meetings. Every Meeting Agenda has a public participation item. The meetings are held on the second Tuesday of the month at 6.30pm.

If you wish to raise an issue for discussion please contact the Town Clerk no later than 12 noon prior to the meeting, so that time can be allocated to accommodate your request to speak.

As required by the Localism Act 2011 we must provide information regarding our Councillors Register of Interests which can be found by clicking here.

Councillor Fraser Tinsley - Town Mayor

M: 07412712169

frasertinsley@gwtc.co.uk

Fraser grew up in Willington and has strong links to the local community. His family go back four generations in the town and he has a clear understanding of the issues and opportunities facing the town and area.
He has a working background in town planning and economic development and believes that the role of Greater Willington Town Council is to help improve the quality of life for all residents by developing local facilities and amenities, addressing issues including antisocial behaviour and fostering economic and environmental improvement.
Fraser is the Town Mayor for 2013 - 2014
Councillor Kenneth Henfrey - Deputy Town Mayor
kenhenfrey@gwtc.co.uk
Ken was born in Willington and still calls it home. He went to school in Chapel Street and then trained to become an Electrician. He worked as a local contractor and also for Kenmore and Thorn factories.
He is a School Governor at Parkside School and the current Resource Chairman for the council.
He feels that his role is to keep a keen eye on GWTC finances and ensure value for money at all times.
He is particularly interested in the success of the Industrial units at Low Willington.
Ken is very approachable and strives to make a difference wherever he can.
Councillor Joe Cogdon
joecogdon@gwtc.co.uk

Joe has been involved with local communities for over 30 years.
A former trade union official and Councillor for the City of Sunderland, holding positions on education,
Public Health and Leisure, he was Vice-Chairman of Leisure and Portfolio Holder with responsibility
for Youth and Community.
Joe has had experience working in the Military, Mining, Community Development, Civil Service and is currently employed in Local Government.
The economic and environmental impact of communities is close to Joe’s heart, and he has always worked to help local communities achieve their potential.
Councillor Alison Danby
alisondanby01@gmail.com
Councillor Margaret Elgie
margaretelgie@gwtc.co.uk
Councillor Arthur Graham
arthurgrham@gwtc.co.uk
Born in Willington and worked locally in the distribution industry for 40 years. Now retired, he has had time to reflect on how our area has declined and been neglected due to lack of leadership, investment and planning.
He would like to dedicate some of his free time to help remedy this and make the Greater Willington Town a more desirable, safer and prosperous place to live in, work in and to enjoy for the whole community.
Arthur is the member with responsibility for allotments. A keen gardener himself he is happy to talk to you about your allotment.
Councillor Patricia Greensmith
e: patriciagreensmith@gwtc.co.uk
Patricia has lived in Willington all her life and believes herself to be a well-known and highly respected member of the community.
She is a founder member and Trustee of the Chyrelle Addams Cancer Support Trust which is a community based organisation who raise funds to buy medical equipment for local Cancer departments, provide a support and information centre and a community
shop made up of local volunteers.
Patricia is very proud to have received the Chairman’s Medal for courageous efforts in the fight against Cancer and also a commendation in the House of Commons in recognition of her work with the charity.
She is also an Authority Governor for Sunnybrow Primary School.
She is very proud of this community and hopes that her role within Greater Willington Town Council will prove to be beneficial to the people of Willington.
Councillor Olwyn Gunn
Councillor David McGarr
Councillor Angela Smith
e: angelasmith@gwtc.co.uk
Angela is 46 years old and married. She has been a staff Governor at St John’s Catholic school in Bishop Auckland for sixteen years. She has worked at St John’s for eighteen years where her first role was Assistant Site Manager.
She then decided to train to become a Teaching Assistant and has been employed as a T. A. for the last six years.
She likes to go on holiday to France, and she enjoys cycling, good food and relaxing with a good book.
Councillor Owen Woods
ukebert@gmail.com
Owen is new to the area having been raised way down south in Hertfordshire. His work as an organ builder with local firm Harrison and Harrison has brought him up to the North East and he has resolved never to leave!
He is a trustee of the Galpin Society (for the study of musical instruments) and is a published academic researcher, as well as releasing a solo CD of traditional music.
Other than his musical activities he enjoys hiking the beautiful countryside in County Durham.
Helen Cogdon - Town Clerk

T: 01388 417725

Helen is a local to Willington and has worked in local government for over eighteen years. She is a communication and media graduate whose knowledge and experience is based on her background in Housing management, Community consultation, engagement and development, Committee and organisation training, project management and Grant Funding.
Helen has led on numerous regeneration initiatives in Wear Valley over the years through SRB, SRI, ESF, ERDF programmes.
Whilst working for the City of Bradford Metropolitan Council, one of the largest Councils in the Country, her work was nominated as an example of good practice by the Association of Metropolitan Authorities, when she established one of the first tennant training and development units necessary to support community group activity in Bradford and also the compulsive competitive tendering of the housing service which she facilitated though the establishment of six representative Area panels and a City panel.
As Town Clerk Helen is what is known as the responsible or proper officer of the council and her job is to ensure that the lawful instructions of the council in connection with its functions as a Local Authority are carried out.
Emma Mennouni - Community Services Officer

T: 01388 417725

Emmas role as a Community Service Officer is to support the Town Clerk and Councillors and deal with enquiries from the general public.
Her family originate from Willington and she has spent a large proportion of her life here. Willington is close to her heart and, being a parent of a young child, any developments to improve the area would be a positive future investment.