Ilfracombe Town Councillors
The Town itself is split into 2 Wards; East and West, represented by 18 councillors.
The Town Mayor is Chairman of the Council; they are also the Civic Head of Ilfracombe, representing the Town at many civic and other functions.
The Full Town Council meets on the second Monday of each month, with the Staffing Committee, Planning Committee and the Finance & General Purpose Committee meeting on the 1st, 3rd and 4th Monday of the month respectively. Meetings are usually held in the Council Chamber, The Ilfracombe Centre, starting at 7pm. (Meetings dates and times are subject to change at the discretion of the Council).
How to become a Councillor
If you are interested in helping and serving your local community and would like to learn more about how to become a Councillor please click here to view the frequently asked questions or go to the National Association of Local Councils’ website where you can access all the information you need on how to get involved.
Your Councillors
I am both an Ilfracombe Town Councillor and also a North Devon District Councillor.
Having been born and bred here, I have always been eager to get involved and promote our amazing town and the community, so I stood for election as a Town Councillor and more recently as a North Devon District Councillor and achieved election by both.
Whilst I do not have a magic wand, I made a promise on my election to represent the views of you the residents.
We all know and love our town and appreciate how unique and special it is from its high street to the Torrs and down to the harbour, Ilfracombe has something to offer be it visitors or locals.
Having lived here, raised 2 sons and now I’m pleased to welcome a new granddaughter to my little family, I appreciate the importance of our community and value of family life.
I am actively involved with various organisations including Ilfracombe Lions Club and President of Ilfracombe Yacht club previously serving as commodore for 3 years.
I am also the NDDC rep on the IBTA, Councillor Champion for Business and Tourism and serve on various committees.
I stood for election to Ilfracombe Town Council in May 2023 because I want to help make the town an even better place for people to live and work. With its strong community spirit, Victorian history and wonderful setting, Ilfracombe has so much potential. Like other towns in North Devon, it also has its challenges, with housing and the rising cost of living being top of the list. At the same time, as a volunteer at the Ilfracombe Food Bank, I’m very aware of the kindness and generosity being shown to people who are struggling.
I’ve a background in journalism and communications, and am keen to use that experience to help promote Ilfracombe as a great place for tourism, investment and quality of life – so that everyone benefits.
I have been very proud to represent Ilfracombe since an early age, at just five I was desperate to join Ilfracombe Corps of Drums and went on to be involved for many years doing displays all over the region with the Combe Badge on my chest. My family were heavily involved in volunteering and I grew up to learn first-hand the many benefits of getting involved and helping your community. My late Mum was a nursery teacher and my father runs a business in the heart of the High Street so I got to know many Ilfracombe people.
I passed through all the schools in Ilfracombe and went straight into an accountancy practice in our town which I now manage. This means I have spent most my life in our High Street, so hopefully know a thing or two about any issues there and most of the businesses. I am lucky enough to have an awesome supportive wife Kerry, who is now the Mayoress. She owns a Home Care Business (Combe Home Care Ltd) and she shares my passion for helping our community. She led the Dementia Friendly Town project a few years ago and is passionate about caring for people and fighting for their needs. Our two children both attend the local schools and are usually found helping us at various events we have planned or clubs.
My love of sport lead me to represent Ilfracombe at Rugby, Football, Cricket and Golf and my love of volunteering meant I usually ended up on the committees or trying to help improve or run things for our community. I have been on the board of One Ilfracombe since its start, this has been pioneering doing lots of great work in our town as well as a school governor and a scout leader. I always struggled to understand why we had a lack of facilities and opportunities in our town compared to neighbouring towns so I ended up running for Council to see if I could do anything to improve these problems. I have run adult football teams and the cricket league and founded Ilfracombe Sharks Youth Rugby around ten years ago, it is a wonderful tool to give kids something positive to be involved in, giving the confidence, respect, teamwork and many new friends. I fought hard for the floodlights at the skate park and have managed to improve sporting facilities at Brimlands.
As you can see I am passionate about Ilfracombe we are very lucky to live in such a naturally beautiful place but what makes it even more special is the people who live here and their community spirit. Life can be hard and nearly everyone is affected by mental health issues but if we all watch out for each other and get involved in our community we can help make it better for all.
Third generation Ilfracombe born and breed
Now retired after working mainly in the telecommunications and oil industries at home and abroad, then running my own business in Combe for over 20 years.
I have been a town councillor for over 12 years and sit on both the Finance and general purposes, and staffing committees
I am also a board member of the Ilfracombe Harbour Board.
Having traveled extensively world wide, I still believe Ilfracombe is the best place there is to live, I will do my utmost working with my fellow councillors to try to improve our wonderful town,
I have been a campaigner around the issues of housing, health inequality and poverty for many years. I have been Ilfracombe Town Council Housing Champion for nearly 4 years and I realise more than ever how interlinked these issues are. My aspirations are always to fight to stop the loss or downgrading of public services in Ilfracombe. Eventually I hope that through lobbying and highlighting these issues, we will see more and better services in our Town to meet the needs of our residents.
Through my work supporting constituents with housing issues and by linking with the key agencies tackling the lack of decent sustainable housing, I hope that there is a momentum to tackle this problem. We must ensure that local people have access to safe, affordable housing with secure tenancies. We should have the services necessary to reduce health inequalities and we should be looking at how we can eliminate deprivation in our Town.
I’ve lived in North Devon for more than 20 years and think that Ilfracombe is a brilliant place to be.
I previously worked for a housing charity, in a local London council, as a teacher in a Further Education College and as a computer programmer for a mobile phone company.
In my opinion, Ilfracombe has been left on the sidelines by local and national government and it is up to us to fix the problems the town has with housing and health, among many other things.
I am a passionate and dedicated member of the Ilfracombe community, known for my active involvement in local initiatives. My recent leadership of the Sea Ilfracombe Maritime Festival has had a significant impact on the town, attracting visitors and creating valuable opportunities for local businesses. This impact was recognised at the 2024 Pride of Ilfracombe Awards, and my team and I are already planning to make the festival even bigger and better in this coming year.
My commitment is to make fair, unbiased decisions that put the needs of my community first. I have a diverse background in business, telecommunications, the charity sector, and the NHS, so I bring a well-rounded perspective to the town’s challenges. My broad experience enables me to approach issues from multiple angles, always keeping the best interests of Ilfracombe at heart.
I recognise the importance of tackling key issues like affordable housing, improved water quality in our seas, and investment in sustainable energy. My background in healthcare and volunteering efforts further demonstrates my dedication to improving the lives of those around me. Having worked at the Minor Injuries Unit at the Tyrell Hospital and for the Ambulance Service, I have gained a deeper understanding of the community’s healthcare needs and I am committed to addressing these challenges with practical solutions.
With my proven track record, approachable nature, and genuine care for Ilfracombe, I am committed to working hard for the town’s future and always putting the community first. I believe in the power of community spirit and bringing people together to drive positive change.
Having spent most of my life in hospitality, I’ve always been passionate about working with people. After moving from Stockport to Ilfracombe in 2004, I ran the George and Dragon pub for 20 years, developing it into a true community hub—raising awareness and funds for local causes. Alongside my work in hospitality, I’ve also supported disadvantaged children, reinforcing my commitment to community welfare.
Now, with a little more time after selling the pub in 2023, I am dedicated to championing the people of Ilfracombe as both a Town and District Councillor. I want to be a strong voice for our town, helping it to flourish.
Married with two grown-up children and two wonderful grandsons, I care deeply about Ilfracombe’s future and will work hard to ensure it remains a great place for generations to come.
I’m a mum of two teenage boys, and for the last five years I have run the hand:plant local art gallery and coffee shop on the High Street. The business has grown from hosting just a handful of friends’ work into a thriving creative hub hosting 20+ local artists and makers, running workshops and events which are often subsidised to make them more inclusive. We host the Ilfracombe Repair Café, and champion sustainability through low-waste practices and community partnerships.
I wasn’t born in Ilfracombe, but I’ve lived here for 20 years, and I’ve done a lot of growing up here. Like many do, my now husband and I came for the lifestyle, the sea, and stayed for the sense of community and belonging. Originally from Newbury, I left behind an early career in retail management, and worked as many younger people here do in hospitality before our children came along, followed by running our first self-employed business gardening and cleaning. In fact years ago I used to clean the Ilfracombe Centre when the caretaker was on holiday!
Running a business and living in the town centre means I’m constantly talking to local residents and visitors, hearing what people love about Ilfracombe, and what frustrates them too. I truly understand the challenges we face on the High Street because I live them daily.
I’m already involved with many groups and organisations within the town, so stepping up to serve as a councillor felt like a next step rather than a huge leap.
Getting Involved and Getting Things Done:
Over the last few years I’ve been proud to be involved in community events and projects that bring people together, support local business, and boost civic pride. These include:
- Chair of Ilfracombe High Street Traders Group
- Committee member of Ilfracombe & District Business and Tourism Association
- Crew member of Jack in the Green
- Organiser of the Christmas Lantern Parade, with Events for Ilfracombe, Combe Christmas and Landmark Theatre
I have organized numerous community arts activities and was awarded an ITC “Pride in Ilfracombe” Award 2025 and a NDDC “Flourishing Culture” Award for Rural and Community Engagement 2026.
Community Experience:
Community is one of Ilfracombe’s strongest assets but it doesn’t just happen; it needs people willing to step up and help make it work. I’ve been attending both the Town and Culture Teams under One Ilfracombe for over 18 months which has given me a taste of some of the issues that can be addressed and projects that can be realised when we work together. For me another great example of this was Ilfracombe’s response during the pandemic, I supported the council volunteering initiative as a Volunteer Coordinator when people were forced to stay at home. I continue to care deeply about the wellbeing of vulnerable residents, something I’m reminded of regularly through conversations with customers and neighbours.
Why I decided to run for Town Council:
I feel I’ve gained really relevant experience through living here, raising a family here, and running a business in the heart of town. I also have the drive and enthusiasm to get properly stuck in at council level, put the work in to learn how to be the best councillor I can be, and continue campaigning for a better Ilfracombe.
I want to help support:
- A stronger, safer and more welcoming High Street
- Community-lead projects that build civic pride
- Better opportunities for young people
- Practical help for residents who feel unheard or left behind by services
- The events that make our town unique and a lot of fun for both residents and visitors!
I’m passionate about Ilfracombe and I want to help make sure we keep moving forward.
Moving to Ilfracombe in 2013 was the best decision my family and I ever made. I grew up in Gosport, another seaside town, before moving to Reading and then London in my early twenties, where I spent over ten years working for a leading AV tech specialist – procuring, importing, and marketing SMART boards for large educational/MOD contracts.
When I arrived in Ilfracombe, I set up my own vintage business on the high street, before stepping back to grow my family. Since then, I’ve worked in sustainability marketing and for the past five years I’ve been communications and events manager for a local charity – The Pickwell Foudation, supporting people and planet, a role I started as a volunteer.
I left school at sixteen and went straight into work, continuing to educate myself in the areas I care most about: art, nature, sustainability, and social justice. In my free time I’m a keen gardener and an artist, and I fundraise with a group of local friends to support people facing humanitarian crises around the world.
I believe deeply that strong communities help us all thrive. With the cost of living rising and so much feeling out of our control, investing in one another and in the place we call home is something we can do. This is where hope begins.
Ilfracombe already has a powerful independent spirit. Our local shops, makers, and creatives are a huge asset, and by supporting new ideas we can build a vibrant town that people are proud to live in, visit, and invest in. We don’t need big corporations to define us – we need big creativity and support for fresh thinking.
Housing affects us all. While affordability is a national issue, it’s felt especially here. We also need energy-efficient homes that keep bills down without costing the planet.
All three of my children attend the three local Ilfracombe schools, and I see every day the dedication of our teachers and support staff. Helping young people thrive takes a whole town (not a village) – through accessible sports and creative spaces, apprenticeships, and real routes into meaningful work.
I’ve seen first-hand what this community can achieve when we work together. Ilfracombe has strength, creativity, and heart. As your Green Party councillor, I’ll bring the same energy I’ve put into supporting people and planet here in Ilfracombe – building a town rooted in pride, hope, and dignity for everyone who calls it home.
