Cllr. Peter Castle (Mayor)
Find out more about the office of Faringdon Town Mayor here
I retired some 8 years ago after almost 50 years as an Environmental Health Officer working mainly in local authorities from the Vale of White Horse to Kensington and Chelsea. I moved to Faringdon to be close to my two daughters and their children.
I undertake voluntary work with Oxfordshire’s Youth Justice Service both as a referral panel member and acting as an appropriate adult at Abingdon Police station on a rota.
I was encouraged to put myself forward for election to the Town Council by my daughters and had the privilege of being elected. My focus is both on the environment in its broadest sense (including the climate change crisis) and on stimulating the town centre to be a vibrant hub not only of some retail shops but especially of places for eating and drinking and general social interaction which I believe is the way to proceed.
I am keenly interested in providing activities for the youth of Faringdon and have been on the youth grants sub committee since I became a councillor.
I live in the town and have enjoyed my time here and working with the other Councillors to try and improve life for all inhabitants of Faringdon.
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If you would like to ask the Mayor to an event please email [email protected]
Cllr. Jane Boulton (Deputy Mayor)
I was brought up just outside of Highworth and was married to a local farmer for 25 years. My qualifications are in accounts, business studies and IT. I moved to Faringdon in 1996 with my partner. We both had plans to join Faringdon Town Council. I joined Faringdon Town Council in 2006 after his death in 2005.
I have been Chair of Recreation & Open Spaces for several years and when it was amalgamated with Venues to become Facilities I was Chair of that committee, and have been Chair of Planning & Highways. I was one of the instigators of the Faringdon Neighbourhood Plan together with other people.
I support Faringdon Town Council and our residents in making where we live a vibrant community rather than a dormitory town.
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Cllr. James Famakin
Cllr. Julie Farmer
I have lived in Faringdon for over 23 years, and love the fact you can walk from one end of the town to the other. You will often see me out walking my small Yorkshire Terrier, Tilly .
I also run my business, publishing people’s memoirs and being a celebrant from my office based on Volunteer Way. 2023 is a big change for me: as well as becoming a Slimming World consultant, I joined the Faringdon Town Council again.
I am passionate about small businesses, both retail and those businesses run from homes and offices. Our businesses need support and representation within all areas of government, from Town Council to big government. This year I am hoping to start a women’s networking event in Faringdon which works well with my passion for business and my personal project of collecting women history.
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Cllr. Angela Finn
I have been affiliated with Faringdon since 1999, and moved here in 2011 following 4 years in Washington DC. I am an auditor with the FCDO and I have been able to use my skills in risk management, financial and internal controls in the council since joining in 2014, most recently as Chair of the Grant Committee and Deputy Chair of the Finance and Audit Committee, whilst also ensuring financial structures are compliant and providing advice on the internal processes. I have assisted in setting up business expos to promote and support small businesses in the town, such as the women’s oral history project. As an independent member, I hope to bring balance, scrutiny and challenge to the Town Council and my driving force is to do what is best for Faringdon and its residents. Faringdon is an amazing place to live and I would like it to remain so and to improve.
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Cllr. Alan Ford
Alan moved to Faringdon with his family in 2014 and has made the town his home with his wife and two boys attending Folly View Primary and Faringdon Community College respectively.
Alan works as an Associate Archaeologist for a global environmental, design and planning company. This entails managing the delivery of complex archaeological projects within multi-disciplinary environmental and planning teams to ensure appropriate compliance with various national planning consenting procedures (Town and Country Planning Act, Development Consent Orders, Permitted Development, Hybrid Bills etc.). This has occasionally required Alan to act as expert witness at planning hearings and inquiries. Alan is also leading his team’s move to delivering archaeological programmes more sustainably and with a lower carbon footprint.
Alan is keen to bring his skills in the commercial sector to help steer appropriate planning decisions for the town that will benefit the community and town as a whole. Alan is also keen to see that Faringdon’s fascinating and ancient heritage and quirky character continues to be celebrated and developed.
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Cllr. Steve Leniec
(Finance and Audit Committee Chair)
I was first elected in 1994 and have seen the Council evolve and develop into a team that works hard to look after the town and its residents. Faringdon has grown and changed and I believe the Council is in a good position to meet the challenges of these uncertain times.
My role as Chair of Finance is to work with the committee to ensure the Council is financially stable, able to meet its statutory responsibilities and react to changing circumstances without placing an excessive burden on council tax bills.
Away from the Council my interests are live music, most sport, walking and exploring the countryside on my mountain bike.
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Cllr. Rufus Lunn
I’m a 29-year-old Account Manager who has lived in Faringdon for the last five years and the surrounding area for most of my life. Previously, I’ve been involved in the Swindon youth council and was part of the team that set up The Platform youth centre.
I decided to join the council to have a more direct involvement with our local area and contribute to making Faringdon an even better place to live. I’m eager to learn more about the ongoing initiatives and bring my own ideas into the conversation.
During my downtime, I enjoy staying active and connecting with the world around me. Hiking, bouldering, and swimming are my go-to activities to keep fit and explore the natural beauty of our surroundings. Additionally, I’m an avid board-gamer and find great enjoyment in playing games like Chess, Root, and many others.
Faringdon holds a unique history and character that I would like to promote and preserve. One of my main goals is to be a voice for the youth and young professionals in our community. I aim to understand and represent their perspectives while engaging with the diverse views that exist in our town. By doing so, I hope to contribute to Faringdon’s continued development as a thriving place for all residents.
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Cllr. Kimberly Morgan
(Community and Partnerships Committee Chair)
I moved to Faringdon several years ago.
In 2017 I became a British citizen and in May I was elected as a Faringdon town councillor . In addition to being a town councillor, I am also a community governor for Faringdon Infant School, a trustee for Wantage Independent Advice Centre and a member of the White Horse Medical Practice Patient Participation Group. All of that keeps me very busy but my most treasured role is being a single mother to a young son. Feel free to say hello when you see us out and about in town!
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Cllr. David Norris
I moved to Faringdon around 8 years ago, I immediately fell in love with the town and its residents. In 2023, I felt the time was right to apply to become a town councillor. I decided to join the council to have more involvement of how we can make improvements for all and hope we can deliver on a positive community vibe across our residents. I do have some other roles within the community too, after arriving in Faringdon I wanted to serve the community as best I can and joined Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service at Faringdon Fire Station as an on call firefighter. I have since become one of the crew managers at the station and love the fact we are able to serve our residents and community by providing emergency assistance when in need. Additionally, I have a huge love for the game of rugby and joined Faringdon Rugby Club not long after moving to the town, this gave me a fantastic opportunity to keep fit and meet new people within the town. Since then and after two unfortunate injuries I wanted to continue the fantastic work the club has done and decided to take on the role of Chairman, a role in which I still currently hold.
Cllr. Chris Palmer
Cllr. Gene Webb
(Facilities Committee Chair)
I was born in Faringdon and have lived here pretty much all my life. I really like it: it’s the place I want to be and the place I care about most.
I’ve been involved with a few things in Faringdon over the years – Folly Tower and Woodland, various health groups, Ferndale choir. I created a community website with a friend in 2000 and have been maintaining it since. It provides considerable information & pictures about Faringdon.
I hope now to join with others, whether it’s local people, or the Vale or the County, to make Faringdon an even better place to live; a place that everyone thinks looks well-cared for, and one that encourages community spirit and engagement .
I am particularly interested in initiatives that preserve our historic character and help Faringdon become greener, cleaner, livelier and even more attractive.
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Cllr. Mark Wild
I made Faringdon home by bringing life back to an old property 17 years ago. I arrived from the Midlands and Wales for work via Didcot, Henley and Thame (Where I met my partner Kirsty). Faringdon by far welcomed us like no other and very soon we came to know many of the characters around town.
I have always worked in science and technology within easy commute. First pharmaceuticals on Milton Park, then a battery startup in Culham and now Dyson Technology in Malmesbury. I am a dad taxi for an active 10-year-old who attends the Elms Primary and makes best use of the rugby and judo clubs, drum and guitar tuition, stagecoach, freedom of movement and roller disco.
I am apolitical with an interest in supporting youth activities, sustainability, local wealth creation and making best use of our community spaces. With a can-do attitude, I hope to listen, and make a positive difference for Faringdon.
[email protected]
Cllr. Dr Mike Wise (Planning and Highways Committee Chair)
In 2001, after 37 years working as a scientist and engineer in both industry and universities, I moved to Faringdon to take a position with Tetronics Ltd. I joined the Town Council in 2004 because I wanted to offer my skills and experience, gained over many years of voluntary work for the engineering profession, to the service and benefit of the Town. Since then I have served on all its committees and been Mayor, representing and promoting the town locally, nationally and internationally. I was the lead on the Faringdon Neighbourhood Plan and, more recently, helped to establish ‘The Place’. I continue to strive to ensure that the Council serves the people of Faringdon to maintain what’s good and to improve wherever possible.
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Committee Membership
Cllr. Peter Castle, Town Mayor, and Cllr. Jane Boulton, Deputy Mayor, are ex-officio members of all Committees.
| Finance and Audit |
| Chair : Cllr. Steve Leniec |
| Vice Chair : To be elected |
| Cllr. Jane Boulton |
| Cllr. Peter Castle |
| Cllr. James Famakin |
| Cllr. Angela Finn |
| Cllr. Kim Morgan |
| Cllr. David Norris |
| Cllr. Gene Webb |
| Cllr. Mark Wild |
| Cllr. Mike Wise |
| Planning & Highways |
| Chair : Mike Wise |
| Vice Chair : To be elected |
| Cllr. Jane Boulton |
| Cllr. Peter Castle |
| Cllr. James Famakin |
| Cllr. Alan Ford |
| Cllr. Rufus Lunn |
| Cllr. David Norris |
| Cllr. Gene Webb |
| Cllr. Mark Wild |
| Facilities |
| Chair : Cllr. Gene Webb |
| Vice Chair : |
| Cllr. Jane Boulton |
| Cllr. Peter Castle |
| Cllr. Angela Finn |
| Cllr. Steve Leniec |
| Cllr. David Norris |
| Cllr. Chris Palmer |
| Cllr. Mark Wild |
| Community and Partnerships |
| Chair : Kimberly Morgan |
| Vice Chair : |
| Cllr. Jane Boulton |
| Cllr. Peter Castle |
| Cllr. James Famakin |
| Cllr. Julie Farmer |
| Cllr. Steve Leniec |
| Cllr. Chris Palmer |
| Cllr. Mark Wild |
Working Parties and Sub Committees
| Strategic Working Party Appointed May 2023 Parent = Full Council |
| Chair : To be elected at the next meeting |
| Members : ALL Members |
| Town Clerk |
| Staff Sub Committee Appointed May 2023 Parent = Finance |
| Chair : Cllr. Leniec |
| Members: Mayor, Deputy Mayor, All Committee Chairs, Finance and Audit Chair and Vice Chair |
| S106-CIL. Working Party Appointed May 2023 Parent = Full Council |
| Cllr. Jane Boulton |
| Cllr. Peter Castle |
| Cllr. Angela Finn |
| Cllr. Steve Leniec |
| Cllr. David Norris |
| Cllr. Gene Webb |
| Cllr. Mark Wild |
| Cllr. Mike Wise |
| Town Clerk |
| Grants Sub Committee to be appointed July 2023 – Parent = Finance |
| Chair: |
| Members: |
| Town Centre Regeneration Working Party Appointed May 2023 Parent = Full Council |
| Chair : To be elected at the next meeting |
| Cllr. Jane Boulton |
| Cllr. Peter Castle |
| Cllr. Julie Farmer |
| Cllr. Rufus Lunn |
| Cllr. Kim Morgan |
| Cllr. Chris Palmer |
| Climate Change Appointed May 2023 Parent = Full Council |
| Chair: To be appointed |
| Cllr. Jane Boulton |
| Cllr. Peter Castle |
| Cllr. Alan Ford |
| Cllr. Kim Morgan |
| Cllr. Mark Wild |
| Cllr. Michael Wise |
| Sarah Johnson Climate Change Officer |
Trust Membership
| War Memorial Trust |
| Chair : |
| Vice Chair : |
| Members: ALL COUNCIL MEMBERS |
| Tuckers Recreation Ground Trust |
| Chair : |
| Vice Chair : |
| Members: ALL COUNCIL MEMBERS |
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