Source: https://freshwater-parish.gov.uk/councillors/
Read: 2026-11-04
SHA-256 of the file as fetched: 4f48bc825a4441247c74360b5aa78c831e54183e14bffa12f8f2ed8269313631

Our Councillors | Freshwater Parish Council, Isle of Wight
About
Clerks Team
Councillors
History
Land Management
Photo Gallery
Role of Parish Council
Community
Allotments
Community Connector
Community Grants
Flood Risk Information
FYT Bus
Gift to Nature
Just Ask Community Support
Our Place Community Café
West Wight Sports Centre
Facilities
Boat Park
Freshwaters Trees
Jubilee Field
Moa Place/Gate Lane Toilets
Multi Use Games Area
Phone Box
Skate Park
The History of Freshwater Skatepark
Proposed New Freshwater Skatepark & Pump Track
Freshwater Skatepark Planning Conditions
Freshwater Skatepark & Pump Track Project Vision
Skate Deck Art Auction
Stroud Coppice
Documents
Contracts
Finance
Audited Accounts
Budget
Expenditure
Governance / Policy
Invitations to Tender
Meetings
Agendas
Agendas Archive
Minutes
Minutes Archive
Planning
Neighbourhood Plan
Planning applications and guidance
Village Design Statement
Property Register
Transparency
News
Contact
Donate to Skatepark
Councillors
Councillors - North Ward
Councillor Tony Armstrong
Having moved to the island with my wife in March 2023 I was very keen to contribute and support the local community in Freshwater.
I have pursued various careers on the mainland: working in corporate sales; running a small hotel and tenanting two public houses with accommodation; teaching Design Technology, Graphics and IT to A Level in the secondary and private sectors in the UK and overseas. I retired as Head of Department after 22 years.
I am passionate about maintaining the beauty of the environment on the island, especially here in West Wight and improving the infrastructure of the area.
I enjoy the Arts, reading, walking and photography in my free time.
Committees:
Planning
Other Committees and Organisations
Yarmouth Harbour Commissioners Advisory Committee
Email
Register of Interests (pdf)
Councillor Brenda Hobbs
Born in Hertfordshire. I am a widow with a son and a daughter and a grandchild. I moved to Island with my husband in 1963 and have lived in Wellow, Ryde, Newport, and since 1975 in Freshwater.
Freshwater Parish Councillor since 1987. I live in the Parish, love the area, and therefore wish to be involved in all aspects affecting Freshwater.
Currently serve on Golden Hill and United Charities. West Wight Sports Centre supporter, from swimming at Brambles onwards to the building of the West Wight Pool and involvement in development of the West Wight Sports Centre. Founder member of Friends of Freshwater Library. Founder member of the now closed Freshwater Community Initiative.
Committees
Community Resilience (including Yarmouth Sea Defences)
Planning
Finance
Land Management and Assets
Personnel
Other Committees/Organisations
Memorial Hall Arts and Leisure Co.
Email
Register of Interests (pdf)
Councillor Caroline Pakel
I came to the Island in early 2021 for a break and never left. I settled in Freshwater where I have retrofitted a little bungalow and started to learn to grow food. I am very grateful to have landed here after a life spread across many countries and work conducted across the globe for research, innovation and then, dialogue. I can honestly say that it is the first time that I feel at home, so care deeply about community life here. I am originally from France and of mixed European culture as my father was German but have lived most of my adult life – on and off – in the UK (Buckinghamshire).
I worked in international business for 30 years and switched to social and environmental activism for 3,5 years where I was involved in bringing dialogue in places of power and influence like Westminster and Davos. I have since been running an online community of land stewards restoring and protecting degraded lands and ecosystems around the world called The Art of Forests. I am passionate about nature and its careful protection and management matter to me greatly.
My purpose today is to bring dialogue to the community in whatever form. I look forward to representing local residents of Freshwater North Ward and to supporting the work of the Council in service of everyone.
Committees:
Planning
Community Resilience (including Yarmouth Sea Defences) Committee
Other Committees and Organisations
Isle of Wight Association of Local Councils (IWALC)
Email
Register of Interests (pdf)
Councillors - South Ward
Councillor Anne Bamford
Studied at two colleges in London between 1971-1976. I became a teacher and taught English, drama and music in 11-18 secondary schools in London, Hertfordshire, Dudley and Stafford until moving to the Isle of Wight in June 1998. I worked in a couple of high schools before settling down at Lake Middle School, where I spent the last 11 years teaching KS3. With the closure of middle schools I took early retirement after teaching for 35 years.
With my interest in the local community I became a Freshwater Parish Councillor in May 2014. My interests are reading, music, theatre, films and pottering around in my garden.
Committees
Planning
Finance - Vice Chair
Land Management and Assets
Personnel - Chair
Library
Community Resilience (including Yarmouth Sea Defences)
Other Committees/Organisations
Memorial Hall Arts and Leisure Co.
Email
Register of Interests (pdf)
Councillor Warren Whyte - Vice Chair
I am an architect and automotive bookseller and is based in heart of Freshwater where he owns the Flaneur book and model shop on Avenue Road. In my architecture work I specialise in ecclesiastical projects and is a Quinquennial Inspector and architect for a number of churches in the Diocese of Portsmouth area, including here on the island.
I am originally from Canada but during my peripatetic career I have lived in East London, Buckinghamshire and more recently in Freshwater. In my spare time I am an advocate in sustainable transport and architecture and has spoken at a number of events and conferences on the topic.
Committees
Library - Chair
Planning
Finance
Other Committees/Organisations
Memorial Hall Arts & Leisure Co.
Freshwater & Totland Memorial Bungalows
Email
Register of Interests (pdf)
Councillor Susan Betts
I grew up in NZ then came to the IoW in 1990 and brought up my 3 children in West Wight, working part time as a Keyworker in Early Years education in Totland and part time in a travel agency in Freshwater.
When the children got older I was offered a full time position in the travel agency where I stayed for ten years, eventually becoming manager.
After I was made redundant from the travel agency I ran my own small business promoting Health and Wellbeing. When my children left home I moved to Sandown to be closer to my work premises.
While there, I served as a Sandown Town Councillor and helped co found a UK registered marine conservation charity based in Sandown.
However, my heart was always in West Wight and I moved back to Freshwater in 2023, where my two grandchildren now live.
I currently work in Adult Social Care in Freshwater, registered with IWC as a PA, supporting people to retain independence and stay in their own homes.
Now that I'm back in Freshwater I am keen to immerse myself fully back into supporting and working for the local community which is why I offered to be a parish Councillor.
Memberships:
IW Green Party
HIWWT
IW Greenpeace
Blue Seas Protection
Committees
Community Resilience - Chair
Planning
Personnel
Land Management
Email
Register of Interests (pdf)
Dr Brian Hinton MBE
I am a widely published author, from poetry to the Isle of Wight Rock Festivals to the 19C Freshwater Circle. I wrote the section on Culture in the newly published Isle of Wight Book and am executive chairman at Dimbola, having helped save the house from demolition.
My aims as a councillor are saving our local heritage and enhancing facilities for local people.
Committees
Planning
Library
Other Committees/Organisations
Memorial Hall Arts & Leisure Co
Email
Register of Interests (pdf)
Councillor Bob Seely
Committees
Planning
Email
Register of Interests (pdf)
Councillor Becca Cameron
I am your local County Councillor for Freshwater South. I have lived in this community for more than 32 years and have built a strong record of hands-on local action. I am committed to delivering practical results that meet the immediate needs of residents while helping to secure a sustainable future for the next generation.
I am a passionate advocate for nature, community and heritage, and I have worked consistently to address the environmental and social issues facing West Wight.
I have also worked to mitigate flooding in and around Afton Marshes in partnership with Gift to Nature, while taking action on pollution in the River Yar. I am continuing to press for the implementation of safety recommendations for Military Road, so that it can remain in use for as long as possible while more permanent solutions are pursued.
I was instrumental in achieving Conservation Area status for Freshwater Bay, drawing on my deep knowledge of local history. I have also contributed historical articles to the Isle of Wight Council and the West Wight Heritage Trail to help preserve and promote our shared heritage.
My priorities are clear. I will:
Protect our green spaces and wildlife
Continue to fight for clean rivers and beaches, and to prevent flooding
Push for genuinely affordable homes in appropriate locations
Support our library, Heritage Centre and West Wight Sports & Community Centre
Champion better local healthcare, including GPs, dentists and mental health services
Give young people a stronger voice, with safer parks and better opportunities
Tackle local transport issues and infrastructure challenge
I remain committed to protecting what makes this area special while delivering practical, lasting improvements for local people.
Committees
Planning
Land Management - Vice Chair
Email
Register of Interests (pdf)
Councillor Sally Chaucer
Committees
Planning
Community Resilience (including Yarmouth Sea Defences)
Land Management & Assets
Other Committees/Organisations
Isle of Wight Association of Local Councils
Email
Register of Interests (pdf)
Councillor David Whistance - Chair
Committees
Planning (Chair)
Finance
Land Management & Assets
Library
Email
Register of Interests (pdf)
Councillors - Freshwater & Colwell Ward
Councillor Chris Jarman JP
Having spent a lifetime around the world inventing and developing consumer technologies, my family and I relocated to the West Wight in 2004. I had visited since the age of 5 and with relatives then at Middleton, Ventnor, Bembridge, Cowes and many points between.
We undertook the marathon restoration of our home and launched into a host of charitable works as we have supported all our lives. The annual Spring Fete at our home for the Wessex Cancer Trust, support for Mountbatten hospice, Daisy Buses to transport patients to mainland hospitals etc all brought us closer to community groups.
Following my election as the Independent Isle of Wight Councillor for Totland and Colwell in 2021, I joined both the Totland and Freshwater Parish Councils that my ward straddles. Supporting residents and community groups remains the cornerstone of my endeavours but closely followed by protection of our beautiful countryside and fragile environment.
Committees
Finance - Chair
Planning
Email
Register of Interests (pdf)
Councillor Frances Turan
I moved to the island over four years ago to be close to my son and his wife in Freshwater. This wonderful village and its close-knit community have made me feel like I am living my best life, prompting me to join the Freshwater Parish Council.
My background includes serving as a Banking Insurance & Finance Union representative, where I secured final salary pension rights for part-time female employees and negotiated better terms for local staff.
I also volunteered as an adult literacy tutor in Hornchurch, Essex, for three years, gaining invaluable experience.
In Tring, Hertfordshire, I spent eighteen years involved in local council issues. Although not a councillor, I addressed community concerns by collecting evidence, canvassing residents, and presenting facts to the council. This led to significant achievements, such as installing traffic lights, removing a noisy rumble strip, and creating a public footpath.
I believe that real change requires a collaborative community and a responsive council. I look forward to working together for a better future.
Committees
Planning - Vice Chair
Personnel - Vice Chair
Land Management - Chair
Finance
Other Committes/Organisations
Freshwater Bay Residents Association Liaison
Email
Register of Interests (pdf)
Parish Office,
Memorial Hall,
Avenue Road,
Freshwater,
PO40 9UU
clerk@freshwater-parish.gov.uk
01983 752000
Documents
Accounts
Agendas
Minutes
Compliance
Privacy Policy (PDF)
Terms (PDF)
Complaints (PDF)
Copyright © 2026
Follow
Follow