Source: https://www.petersfield-tc.gov.uk/town-councillors/
Read: 2026-11-04
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Town Councillors – Petersfield Town Council
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Town Councillors are here for you
Elected Councillors
Petersfield Town Council comprises 12 elected members and is very proud to be the first Town Council in Hampshire to be awarded the accolade of being a Quality Town Council.
Please feel free to contact any Town Councillors either by telephone, email or post and they will be delighted to hear from you and will endeavor to help with any matters you may wish to raise with them.
Please note all members of the Town Council, with the exception of the Town Mayor are members of the Planning committee.
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Wards
Rother
Heath
Rams Hill
Bell Hill
Causeway
St Peter's
John Lees
Causeway - Conservative
07900 691778
john.lees@petersfield-tc.gov.uk
register of interests
Steven Dewey
Heath Ward - Conservative
01730 266261
steven.dewey@petersfield-tc.gov.uk
register of interests
Jamie Matthews
Town Mayor
Bell Hill
- Independent
01730 233324
jamie.matthews@petersfield-tc.gov.uk
register of interests
Lesley Farrow
Heath - Independent
01730 261350
lesley.farrow@petersfield-tc.gov.uk
register of interests
Phil Shaw
Ramshill - Liberal Democrat
phil.shaw@petersfield-tc.gov.uk
register of interests
Gary Mathews
Bell Hill - Liberal Democrat
gary.mathews@petersfield-tc.gov.uk
register of interests
Martin Smith
Ramshill - Liberal Democrat
martin.smith@petersfield-tc.gov.uk
07356 283118
Register of Interest
Shahinoor Ali
St Peters Ward - Liberal Democrat
shahinoor.ali@petersfield-tc.gov.uk
Register of Interests
Mary Vincent
Rother - Liberal Democrat
mary.vincent@petersfield-tc.gov.uk
register of interests
Thomas Figgins
St Peters - Independent
07903 991745 thomas.figgins@petersfield-tc.gov.uk
register of interests
Anne Stephenson
Deputy Town Mayor Causeway - Independent
07748 631876 anne.stephenson@petersfield-tc.gov.uk
register of interests
Chris Paige
Ramshill - Conservative
register of interests
Lesley studied Law at Newcastle Polytechnic followed by articles. Moving to Petersfield in 1977 Lesley has two children who attended Bedales.
Lesley was a committee member of Save the Children for 34 years, and became a Councillor in 2011. Having served on Petersfield Town Council for 14 years, four of which were as Mayor, she is now a member of General Purposes and Sports, Recreation & Environment Committee, Finance & General Purposes Committee and Festival Hall Development Committee
Subsequently being chairman of Grounds for 4 years and one of the main facilitators of bringing the Grounds work in-house. Lesley’s interests include race judging for Cowes Week and general history.
Outside Bodies
New Savoy Cinema
Phil and his wife have lived in Petersfield since 1984. Initially from Glossop in Derbyshire, he came to the area in the 1970s when he joined the Royal Navy and fell in love with the town. After 24 years in the Royal Navy Phil qualified as a Mental Health Nurse. After qualifying he spent 12 years as a Community Mental Health Nurse for older people in Petersfield before moving into clinical research and finally senior management in Clinical Commissioning. He retired in 2018. Phil was our Town Mayor in 2021-22 and is also an East Hampshire District Councillor for Petersfield St Peter’s ward.
Outside Bodies
Petersfield Community Assocation, Petersfield Town Football Club, Rural Towns Network (Older Person's Champion), Petersfield in Bloom
John has lived in East Hampshire with his family for over 30 years and prior to retiring he worked for several international companies including Unilever and Cadbury Schweppes in a variety of sales & marketing roles.
He has been a Petersfield Town Councillor for four years working within his ward plus being involved in a number of specialist roles which have including the ongoing proposed redevelopment of our iconic Festival Hall.
In this capacity John organised and facilitated a town public consultation to ensure all residents were aware of the proposed redevelopment of the Festival Hall. This was described as the largest public consultation ever undertaken in Petersfield and ensured many hundreds of residents know about the refurb proposals.
John’s other public role has been the chairman of the Ramshill Residents Association during which time he oversaw the installation of a new children’s playground on the estate plus liaising with partner organisations such as HCC, EHDC, the PTC and the estates developers.
John’s outside interests include playing bridge, travelling to France to visit his French family and grandchildren and walking with his dog Fudge.
Outside Bodies
The John Goodyer Charity
Steve has represented Petersfield Town Council as planning Chairman, on Public Halls & Town Development committees plus Petersfield Town Council grants panel, Steve will this year representing the council on The Public Halls, Finance and General-Purpose Committees plus reviewing all community grants on the grants panel. Steve is currently a Material Supervisor for a major electronic manufacturing Company who manufacture Power Supplies for the Military, Industrial and Commercial markets in Bordon, he has worked for the same company for over 36 years. Steve is married to his wife Bernadette, has two stepsons and four grandchildren. He has lived in Petersfield since 1971 and has three brothers who also grew up within the town. Steve has represented his community since 2010 as Chairman East Petersfield Community Group, Petersfield Street Watch Coordinator plus becoming a Petersfield Town Councillor in 2019.
Steve has been awarded a Petersfield Town Medal 2012 and East Hampshire District Council Unsung Hero Award 2017 for his services to the Town. Steve shares his spare time between his family, his love for Portsmouth Football club and the community which he is so passionate about.
Outside Bodies
None
Deputy Town Mayor and member of Planning, Finance, General Purposes and Chairman of Sports, Recreations & Environment Committee and Chairman of the Staffing Committee
Jamie is married and has lived in Petersfield since 2006. He graduated as an Electrical Engineer and works as a broadcast technology consultant. Jamie is an active member of Petersfield Round Table. Since 2012 Jamie has played a key role in the Petersfield Neighbourhood Plan project team and steering group. He was elected to the Town Council in May 2015.
Outside Bodies
East Hampshire Association of Parish & Town Councils, West Sussex Bus Steering Group, Petersfield Twinning Association.
Mary was born at the local cottage hospital and went to school at Sheet Primary and Petersfield Secondary Schools, before attending Private School. Mary first spent time as a children's nanny before joining the family firm, Rowland Son & Vincent Ltd, first in the office, then time on the shop floor, where she was in charge of the china department and helping on the funeral side. Mary qualifield as a Funeral Director and ran the funeral side of the business until retirement when her niece took over.
Mary was a member of the Petersfield in Boom Committee until is was absorbed into Petersfield Town Council. Mary was a member of the Petersfield Operatic Society, Hi-Lights and Petersfield Bowling Club. Mary was first elected to Petersfield Town Council in 1995 and served for 24 happy years, being on most committees including Public Halls, Planning and Staffing Committees and two terms as Town Mayor. Mary was reelected for Rother Ward and is delighted to be back, promising to do everything she can for her ward and her town, of which we are all very proud.
Outside Bodies
New Savoy Cinema, Open Air Pool, Agencies Working Together (AWT), Petersfield in Bloom.
Petersfield has always been Thomas Figgins home whilst living abroad for most of his life, coming back every summer to visit friends and family in the community and in the country. He moved back permanently at the start of the pandemic so as to pursue A-levels instead of the IB system he had been doing abroad so as to specifically study politics, history and other studies. He is now currently studying in British politics and Legislative studies at the University of Hull, but wants to do as much as he can to help the local community at the most grassroots level of government in the country alongside his educational endeavours. Thomas was co-opted on to the Council in 2023 and is now part of Planning, Public Halls, Sport, Recreation and Environment, Festival Development and Staffing Committees.
Outside Bodies
East Hampshire Association of Parish & Town Councils, Open Air Pool, Rural Senior Network (Young Persons Champion)
Anne moved to Petersfield in 2023 after getting to know the town whilst living in Fareham. She is retired, after over 30 years spent teaching science in both the state and private system. During this time she had to juggle a demanding full time job and bring up two girls whilst being a carer for her husband who died of Huntington's disease. She is Chair of the Hampshire Huntington’s Disease Association. She grew up in a small town where the family had a chemist shop; so she has an understanding of the importance of the high street and the challenges faced by local businesses. She has a life-long interest in the environment. She is an Independent co-opted member who is keen to represent the views of Causeway residents.
PTC Committees: Sports, Recreation and Environment,, Finance & General Purposes, Staffing, Festival Hall Development and Chairmen of the Planning Committee.
Outside Bodies
East Hampshire Community Rail Partnership, East Hampshire Association of Parish & Town Councils, Agencies Working Together (AWT), Friends of Petersfield Heath, The John Goodyer Charity.
You're represented by Councillor Martin Smith, a dedicated NHS worker with deep roots in West Sussex. Martin grew up in Bognor Regis before studying Biology at Portsmouth University and qualifying as a Physiotherapist at Brighton University. His passion for healthcare and sport naturally led him into physiotherapy – and now, into public service.
As your councillor, Martin is committed to giving back to the community, both through his healthcare work and through his role on the town council. He’s approachable, respectful, and hardworking, always ready to listen and speak up for the residents of Petersfield.
If you have a question, concern, or simply want to say hello, Martin is just an email away at martin.smith@petersfield-tc.gov.uk – he’d be happy to hear from you.
Martin looks forward to continuing his work on the council, collaborating with fellow councillors to deliver the very best for Petersfield.
Councillor Christopher Paige has proudly called Petersfield home since 2016, where he lives with his wife and family. With a strong sense of duty and public service, Chris brings both military and civilian leadership experience to his new role as Town Mayor.
He served for 11 and a half years in the British Army, completing a range of international deployments. Since leaving the Armed Forces in 2013, Chris has worked in the healthcare sector as an IT engineer, supporting Ministry of Justice sites—including prisons and immigration centres—as well as hospitals and surgical facilities across the south of England. His career reflects a continued commitment to service, resilience, and practical problem-solving.
In his spare time, Chris enjoys golf and coarse-fishing. He is an active member of the Petersfield Branch of the Royal British Legion and was instrumental in the Town Council’s pledge to the Armed Forces Covenant. He continues to lead local initiatives that support veterans, service personnel, and their families.
As Town Mayor, Chris is dedicated to fostering community spirit, promoting inclusivity, and supporting Petersfield’s residents, volunteers, and organisations in keeping the town vibrant and welcoming.
We have lived in Petersfield since 1989. I am from Liverpool but spent 15 years in Scotland. I have degrees in Religious Studies and English, an MA in Management Learning and an MSc in Social Work. I have worked in many countries but have always been employed as a public servant I currently work for the Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth. I have been a member of the congregation at St Laurence in Petersfield since moving here and am a Benedictine Oblate. My focus is on support for others, transparency, and fairness at all levels of government.
Shahinoor Ali (Shah) was elected to Petersfield Town Council in 2026 and is one of the younger voices serving within the local community. Shah is passionate about community engagement, supporting residents, and helping ensure that local people feel heard and represented.
Alongside his role on the Town Council, Shah has previous experience in leadership and representative positions within education and student governance, including serving as a student governor, faculty course representative, and society advisor. These roles helped develop his strong interest in public service, communication, and working closely with people from different backgrounds.
Shah is particularly interested in supporting young people, encouraging greater community involvement, improving local services, and helping Petersfield continue to grow as a welcoming and vibrant town for everyone.
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