Source: https://yarmtowncouncil.gov.uk/councillors/
Read: 2026-11-04
SHA-256 of the file as fetched: 894942a30dd37125b291f8eaba25e4a055a6bc094996b8db4d626da796111d14

Councillors - Yarm Town Council
Skip to content
Meet the Councillors of Yarm
Town Councillors having individual roles but working together as a team
Councillor Jake Taylor
JakeTaylor@Yarmtowncouncil.gov.uk
Learn more about Jake
Councillor Yvonne Wallace
YvonneWallace@Yarmtowncouncil.gov.uk
Learn more about Yvonne
Councillor Hazel Best
HazelBest@Yarmtowncouncil.gov.uk
Learn more about Hazel
Councillor Marje Blair
MarjeBlair@Yarmtowncouncil.gov.uk
Learn more about Marje
Councillor Stephen Dodds
StephenDodds@Yarmtowncouncil.gov.uk
Learn more about Stephen
Councillor Elaine Dodds
ElaineDodds@Yarmtowncouncil.gov.uk
Learn more about Elaine
Councillor Stephen Nealon
StephenNealon@Yarmtowncouncil.gov.uk
Learn more about Stephen
Councillor Christopher Neil
ChristopherNeil@Yarmtowncouncil.gov.uk
Learn more about Christopher
Councillor Malcolm Palmer
MalcolmPalmer@Yarmtowncouncil.gov.uk
Learn more about Malcolm
Councillor Aiden Pybus
AidenPybus@Yarmtowncouncil.gov.uk
Learn more about Aiden
Contact Yarm Town Council
Contact The Council
Serving the community of Yarm
Quick Links
Menu
Home
About Yarm
Councillors
Councillors’ Declarations of Interest
Gallery of Yarm
Cemetery & Chapel
Yarm Allotments
Community Funding
Financial Reports
Policies
Notices
Agendas & Minutes
Contact
Contact
Yarm Town Council
Town Hall & Heritage Centre
High Street, Yarm TS15 9AH
Townclerk@yarmtowncouncil.gov.uk
We would like to thank Social Allies for the drone footage on the home page and Allan Farrell for his contributions of photography.
Copyright © 2026 Yarm Town Council Powered by
Newcrest Digital
Manage Consent
To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Functional
Functional
Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes.
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
Manage options
Manage services
Manage {vendor_count} vendors
Read more about these purposes
Accept
Deny
View preferences
Save preferences
View preferences
{title}
{title}
{title}
Manage consent
Scroll to Top
Jake Taylor
Email Jake
JakeTaylor@Yarmtowncouncil.gov.uk
Jake
has worked in Yarm for over eight years at one of the largest establishments on the High Street. His experience in a high-level business environment has equipped him with a strong skillset that he now brings to the council, from managing budgets, driving growth, and overseeing business financials, to people leadership and effective team management.
Accustomed to working to tight deadlines, maintaining high standards, and handling demanding workloads, Jake applies this same ethos to his role within the council, which is great news for Yarm. He takes his position as Leader of the Council very seriously, and everything he does is focused on moving the council forward and making Yarm an even more delightful and prosperous place to live.
Jake is also passionate about community projects and local charities, including Yarm Wellness Centre and True Lovers Walk. He works closely with these organisations to help raise funds and support their amazing work so it can continue benefiting the community.
Yvonne Wallace
Email Yvonne
yvonnewallace@yarmtowncouncil.gov.uk
Yvonne
has lived in Yarm for 45 years and has witnessed many changes within the community she proudly calls home. For more than three decades, she has successfully run two long-standing businesses, giving her extensive experience in finance, organisation, people management, and the value of passion in everything she does.
Her dedication to both her work and her town inspired her to take on the role of Councillor. Yvonne believes she has much to give back to Yarm a place that has given her so much throughout her life and she cannot imagine living anywhere else. She sees Yarm and its residents as truly special and is committed to working alongside fellow councillors to ensure the town continues to thrive.
Yvonne feels deeply passionate about Yarm and its people, and she is driven to help create a brighter future for the town. She has worked tirelessly on the
Save Yarm
Campaign
, striving to ensure that future building developments do not compromise the character or beauty of the community she is proud to serve.
Hazel Best
Email Hazel
hazelbest@Yarmtowncouncil.gov.uk
Hazel has not lived in Yarm as long as some of the other Councillors but she has quickly come to appreciate the strong sense of community that makes Yarm so special. Hazel works at a local college supporting students with complex needs, which constantly reminds her how vital inclusion is- and how important it is to ensure every voice is heard.
Hazel has dyslexia and understands first-hand the barriers people can face when systems are not designed with accessibility in mind. That is why Hazel is passionate about creating a welcoming environment for everyone in Yarm, where practical solutions matter more than politics, and fairness and empathy guide every decision. Hazel is committed to listening, responding to concerns with respect, and working collaboratively to build a stronger, more inclusive community for the future.
Hazel is Chairman of the Chapel and Graveyard Committee and works tirelessly to ensure this area of the community is running smoothly and with compassion.
Marjory Blair
Email Marjory
marjeblair@yarmtowncouncil.gov.uk
Marj moved to Yarm in 1980 due to her husbands work. She has held a variety of administrative roles, gaining experience across different sectors and getting to know the needs of different communities. After retirement Marj relocated to Spain for six years and then decided to move back to Yarm in 2016, a place that has truly become home. Marj feels deeply connected to Yarm and its spirit, and she is proud to be part of the community that makes Yarm what it is today.
Marj has various roles within the council and is on the allotments and chapel and cemetery committees, roles which she relishes and thoroughly enjoys.
Steve Dodds
Email Steve
stephendodds@Yarmtowncouncil.gov.uk
Steve has lived and worked in the area for over 25 years. As an architect, he understands the importance of good design and the impact that overdevelopment can have on the local environment and infrastructure. In his role as Chair of the Planning & Environment Committee, Steve is well placed to help ensure that any future development in and around Yarm delivers genuine benefits for the town. Steve is experienced in working within multi-disciplinary teams to deliver projects, and these skills will be invaluable as part of the council serving Yarm.
He believes it is important to make a difference, even in the small details, by helping residents with the issues that affect their everyday lives. Steve is committed to giving local people a stronger voice at council level and working towards positive, meaningful change for the community and for Yarm as a whole.
Elaine Dodds
Email Elaine
elainedodds@Yarmtowncouncil.gov.uk
Elaine
has lived in the area for over 25 years and, during this time, has built and successfully run her own business. She brings with her extensive experience in chairing social committees, organising events, and fundraising. In her role as Chair of the Staffing Committee, Elaine draws on her invaluable business and HR expertise to support the effective and efficient running of the Council. Her experience of working both independently and as part of a team to deliver events on time and to a high standard will be a significant asset.
Elaine is passionate about being open and approachable, supporting our outstanding local businesses, and championing sustainable growth that benefits the whole community. By listening to residents and working closely with her fellow councillors, Elaine is committed to transparency and to finding practical, down-to-earth solutions that ensure Yarm remains a fantastic place to live, work, and visit.
Steve Nealon
Email Steve
stephennealon@yarmtowncouncil.gov.uk
Steve is a recently retired college lecturer, formally training His Majesties forces. Steve holds degrees in both building surveying and teaching. Steve moved to Yarm five years ago to be nearer to family. Since living in Yarm, he has taken on a directorship of Yarm Bowling Club and is also a Neighbourhood Watch Coordinator for the Morley Carr Farm estate.
With over 50 years in the construction and construction-related industries, Steve wanted to give something back to society, hence becoming a lecturer 15 years ago. Coming up to retirement last year, he was given the opportunity via the Yarm Town Council election process, to channel his energies into serving the community he now calls home.
Within Yarm Town Council, his responsibilities are:
Chair of the Leisure and Culture Committee
He also sits on the Planning & Environment committee, and the Yarm Town Hall and Heritage centre committee.
Chris Neil
Email Chris
christopherneil@Yarmtowncouncil.gov.uk
Chris moved to Yarm in 1972. He ran two major businesses, The George and The Fox Covert, for 38 years, employing between 60/70 local staff. He was a previous Yarm Town Councillor from 2008 – 2018. Chris has a passion for Yarm and wants it to continue to thrive. He hopes that the expertise and experience he can bring to the council will help Yarm grow and flourish.
Malcolm Palmer
Email Malcolm
malcolmpalmer@Yarmtowncouncil.gov.uk
Malcolm has been a Yarm and Eaglescliffe resident since 1962, when his parents first moved to the area. After spending most of his working life in the Middle East serving the Health, Education and Hospitality sectors, he always kept his home in Yarm – knowing Yarm was where he wanted to spend his retirement.
Now retired and living back in Yarm full time, Malcolm’s wish is to give back to the town that has always held his heart. He is proud to support our community and play his part in helping Yarm continue to thrive.
Malcolm is Chairman of the finance committee on the Council and us responsible, with his other committee members for everyday financial decisions/payments and also setting budgets and keeping financial matters up to date.
Aiden Pybus
Email Aiden
aidenpybus@yarmtowncouncil.gov.uk
Aiden was born in Yarm, went to school in Yarm and also now works in Yarm. He is very much a Yarm person and enjoys every aspect of the Town.
On the council Aiden has various roles on different committees including allotments, chapel and cemeteries and the town hall and heritage centre.
Home
About Yarm
Councillors
Councillors’ Declarations of Interest
Gallery of Yarm
Cemetery & Chapel
Yarm Allotments
Community Funding
Financial Reports
Policies
Notices
Agendas & Minutes
Contact
Home
About Yarm
Councillors
Councillors’ Declarations of Interest
Gallery of Yarm
Cemetery & Chapel
Yarm Allotments
Community Funding
Financial Reports
Policies
Notices
Agendas & Minutes
Contact
Contact
Council Policies
Rate Payers Policy
Volunteer Agreement
Financial Regulations
Data Protection Policy
Councillor Expenses
CCTV Policy
See All Policies