Council
The Council year runs from May
Councillors are elected for a 4 year term. If a vacancy occurs during this term, it can be filled by either an election or by co-option.
Become a Backwell Parish Councillor! For more information, click here. Information and how to stand for election is available here.
The Council spends a significant amount of time considering development such as house building within the Parish of Backwell.
We post our Council policies, staff policies
Your Councillors
Sarah Ould (Chairman)
Bio coming soon
Phil Harris (Vice Chairman)
Hilary Power
Hilary moved from London to Somerset in 1982. She was a police officer for 26 years, mainly in uniform, starting in Yeovil as a response officer. A spell in the Traffic Department gave her experience in road safety and collision prevention. She later became Head of Avon and Somerset Police’s custody units, supervising the detention and treatment of prisoners. Her particular interest was detainees’ welfare, working closely with the Independent Custody Visitors Association, as well as sitting on the local prison’s suicide and self-harm prevention group. She was trained as a national Hostage Negotiator, which also included undertaking suicide interventions. Her final role before her retirement in 2010 was working in the Force’s Professional Standards Department, overseeing the investigation of complaints against police officers as well as internal disciplinary matters. Her main hobbies are DIY, cooking and embroidery, but with her husband’s encouragement she has developed an interest in railways and trains. She can often be seen walking her dogs on the many footpaths in Backwell, checking the stiles and kissing gates enroute.
Bob Taylor
I moved to Backwell in the late 1970’s together with my wife Brenda, and our two sons, Paul and Chris, and became the village newsagent in Rodney Road for over 30 years. It didn’t take long for me to get involved with village life, particularly the Junior Football. I formed an under 10 and an under 11 team and took them on through to under 16, when I became Chairman and Sponsor of the Junior Football Club. Later I became Chairman of Backwell Playing Fields, holding that position for 18 years and in that time secured the Leases on all six clubs before handing over to Michael Pratt, to enable me become a Parish Councillor. I retired as the village newsagent in 2013. I have been a Councillor since 1995, and was Vice Chairman for 2 years and Chairman for 7 years. During that time my proudest moments were my involvement with the purchase of the Allotment site, the Youth Club and Drop In Centre, and of course as Chairman of the Neighbourhood Plan Working Party and its subsequent adoption.
Jodie Hollis
I have experienced living in numerous places across Britain throughout my life. Eight years ago, my husband and I were searching for the right place to raise children. We were fortunate to move to Backwell, and it has truly proven to be a special place to live. Backwell offers so much for the whole family with its community—opportunities and amenities that we didn’t find in other places we lived, with the bonus of being a semi-rural location. I wanted to become a Parish Councillor to do my bit to help preserve and enhance what makes Backwell such a wonderful place for everyone.
John Gordon
I moved to Backwell in 2016, when my two sons were very young. They both now attend Backwell School. I worked for the UK Government for vast majority of my career. I was privileged to spend the bulk of my time working to achieve global poverty reduction and enhanced social justice in the developing world. In doing that I was fortunate to spend many years living and working overseas. I left Government in 2025 and applied to be a Parish Councillor as part of an ongoing commitment to public service. As well as being a Parish Councillor, I have been involved with the local community for many years through my roles with Backwell Junior Football Club, as a coach of junior teams for six years and for the last three years as Vice Chairman and Development Officer. I now work as an Executive Coach alongside my commitments to the community
Margaret Rogers
I have lived in Backwell for nine years and have a strong interest in the village and its surrounding area. My husband’s family has lived in Backwell for at least four generations. I feel very strongly that Backwell should remain a village and retain its character.
Barbara Harland
I first came to Backwell in 1984 as a newly qualified RE and Philosophy teacher at Backwell School. A few years later, I moved here to raise my family, and it has been home ever since. Originally from Devon, I have always loved the outdoors and the countryside, and that is still a big part of my life.
Being involved in village life has always mattered to me, and volunteering has long been part of who I am. I was a Cub Scout leader for 16 years and loved the camping trips, especially at Glenny Wood. My husband Tim and I were married at St Andrew’s Church, where I also served on the Pastoral Group. I am still active in the Backwell Residents Association’s Committee.
I like to keep busy, especially with family, and I regularly look after my grandchildren. I enjoy history and archaeology, gardening, reading, theatre and travel. One of our best trips was a 5,000-mile journey over land from Istanbul to Baku across four countries using public transport with a backpack. To relax, I enjoy yoga, Tai Chi and learning the piano, though that is still something of an uphill struggle.
As a parish councillor, I put people and community first. I chair the Planning Committee and have worked on a range of local issues, including Grove Farm, the Bus Lane and the Dark Lane one-way proposal.
I support sustainable development, but only where it is realistic and backed by the right infrastructure and services. I am working with others to make sure Backwell’s voice is heard on the Local Plan, the Neighbourhood Plan and wider issues affecting residents, including Bristol Airport, environmental and road safety.
Mo Bowerman
Bio coming soon
Charles Hatcher
Bio coming soon
Patrick Horner
Bio coming soon
Robert Martin
Bio coming soon
Anthony Young
Bio coming soon
Staff
Clerk to the Council
Clare Melton
Assistant Clerk
Hannah MacCallum-New
Planning and Communications Officer
Amy Symonds
Office Assistant