Caroline Kolek

Councillor - elected 04.05.2023

18 Pine Park Road
Honiton
EX14 2HR

07773 005908

CarolineKolek@honiton.gov.uk

Register of Interests

Personal Biography

Caroline Kolek has lived in
Honiton and the local area for over 34 years.  Caroline joined the town
council in 2014 and was Mayor in 2015 and again in 2016.She is currently Vice-Chair of our Planning Committee and a member of the Youth Council Working Group. Caroline represents Honiton FairTrade, Millenium Green, Twinning Association, Honiton Business Network and Carers outside bodies.

She is an assistant Headteacher, SEND specialist and TISUK Trauma Informed Practitioner. She has been a teacher for 28 years; during this time Caroline spent three years as National Honorary Treasurer for her Teaching Union as well as a member of the General Teaching Council for four years where she chaired their Audit Committee working with both the DfE and the Treasury.

Caroline is a keen runner and needle worker with interests in local history and culture, youth and environmental matters.

Caroline has been our Town Crier since August 2025.

Andrew Pearsall

Councillor - Chairman - elected 04.05.2023

Small Acre
7 Whitefield
Wilmington
EX14 9JJ

07840 508080 & 01404 831915

AndrewPearsall@honiton.gov.uk

Register of Interests

Personal Biography

Councillor & Mayor Andrew Pearsall has lived in East Devon since 1981. He works in construction and is a director of a small manufacturing business. For the past 12 years he has lived in Wilmington on the outskirts of Honiton. He was a member of the Widworthy Parish Council for 11 years and had the privilege of being Chairman for the majority of the time. He has previously been an acting Volunteer Flood, Road and Snow Warden for the Widworthy Parish. Andrew became a Honiton Town Councillor in 2022. In 2025 he was elected to become Chairman of the Town Council and the Mayor of Honiton. His particular interests are road safety and improvements, social care and economic town stability, and environmental issues. It is important to maintain stability, financially and socially.

Steve Craddock

Councillor - elected 04.05.2023

9 Pine Grove
Honiton
EX11 2HS

07835 939246

SteveCraddock@honiton.gov.uk

Register of Interests

Personal Biography

Councillor Stephen Craddock is a retired construction estimator/surveyor, working in a senior management capacity, costing and surveying projects ranging from £500k up to £12 million in value. Born in Birmingham he has lived and worked in Worcester, Evesham, Jersey C.I. and Cornwall before finally settling in Devon in 1991 where he worked for large local contractors until retirement in 2015. After retirement, he volunteered with the charity Dementia Friendly Honiton in a fundraising capacity helping the team to raise £300k to be able to bring a specialist dementia nurse to Honiton for a six-year period. He was chair and trustee for another local charity organisation (Honiton Health Matters) for 7 years, as well as a trustee for Honiton Community Use Building. He is currently a trustee for All Hallows charity and Honiton United Charity. Stephen is also the Chair of Honiton Surgery Patient Participation Group. Since being elected to Honiton Town Council in 2023 he has and is currently serving on several committee’s and working groups.

David Hayler

Councillor - elected unopposed 13.03.2024

13 Charles Road
Honiton
EX14 1QG

07989 852230

DavidHayler@honiton.gov.uk

Register of Interests

Helen Turner

Councillor - elected unopposed 13.03.2024

4 Whitefield
Wilmington
EX14 9JJ

07867 668592

HelenTurner@honiton.gov.uk

Register of Interests

Personal Biography

Councillor Helen Turner was a Scout Leader for 32 years – many of them as the Beaver Leader. Within this role she did a lot of work with them doing things around the town, inviting guests from different organisations to talk to the Beavers. During those 32 years she was also an instructor for the Devon Army Cadet Force for 13 years. She started as an instructor and progressed to Sgt Major and was the Detachment Commander.

Councillor Helen Turner also helped the Cadets to get involved within the Community.

John Taylor

Councillor - elected 25.09.2025

3 St John Close
Honiton
EX14 1PN

07742 559244

johntaylor@honiton.gov.uk

Register of Interests

Roy Coombs

Councillor - elected 04.05.2023

9 Hill Crescent
Honiton
EX14 2HY

01404 47347

RoyCoombs@honiton.gov.uk

Register of Interests

Serena Sexton

Councillor - elected 04.05.2023

07591 111925

SerenaSexton@honiton.gov.uk

Register of Interests

Personal Biography

Councillor Serena Sexton is a retired Prison Governor and magistrate and continues to maintain an interest in local crime and anti-social behaviour issues. She has undertaken numerous voluntary roles around the town, including, amongst others, as Chair of the Beehive board of Trustees, Chair of the Patient Participation Group at the surgery, a Director of The Den youth café, a Care Navigator for Hospiscare, a member of the Charter Day committee and a volunteer for Operation Rudolph. She is a former Mayor and continues to hold a deep interest in all matters affecting the town and a desire to see it thrive again.

Robert Sexton

Councillor - elected - 04.05.2023

RobertSexton@honiton.gov.uk

Register of Interests

Personal Biography

Councillor Robert Sexton is a retired police Superintendent, with subsequent experience in management consultancy, senior management in the charity sector and as a non-executive director of an NHS trust. He has had extensive experience in the voluntary sector, including six years as a director on the management board of the Beehive and was the founder of a county neighbourhood watch association. He has a master’s degree in human resource management and completed 5 years of his PhD studies at Reading University. Since joining the council, he has taken particular interest in improving the market, enhancing the town centre and developing better communications with the public.

Sharon Thorne

Councillor - elected 04.05.2023

24 Moorfield
Colyton
EX24 6PT

07894 810929

SharonThorne@honiton.gov.uk

Register of Interests

Personal Biography

Councillor Sharon Thorne was born in the Midlands but has called Devon her home for over 35 years.

Professionally, Sharon serves as a Director of a not-for-profit organisation. Her career is mirrored by her extensive local involvement; she supports numerous community groups across the Honiton area and is well-known for her work coordinating Operation Rudolph, which provides vital support to local families.

Elected in 2023, Sharon’s particular interests within the council are strengthening community spirit and ensuring fair access to services and support for all residents. She is an active member of the Sports and Volunteering Working Groups and serves as the council representative for several key local organisations, including Allhallows Charity, Citizens Advice East Devon, and Honiton United Charities.

Lucy Wakefield

Councillor - elected 04.05.2023

Brook Cottage
Hayne Farm
Rawridge
EX14 9QP

07850 394558

LucyWakefield@honiton.gov.uk

Register of Interests

Personal Biography

Councillor Lucy Wakefield is a business owner. She runs Barking Mad in the local area and is a member of The Honiton Business Network. Previously she has been a Primary School Teacher, Chair of the Charter Day committee and is currently a Director for The Den Youth Café. She is a strong advocate for the youth of the town and is the lead councillor of a working group looking to create a Youth Council, to give the youth of the town a voice. She also looks to promote creativity whenever she can. Lucy is currently deputy Chair of Honiton Town Council, as well as chairing two committees and being the Town Council representative on several community organisations.

Melvyn Baldock

Councillor - elected 11.04.2024

8 Widworthy Court
Honiton
EX14 9JN

07828 301786

MelvynBaldock@honiton.gov.uk

Register of Interests

Personal Biography

Councillor Melvyn Baldock is a paramedic of 35 years with 39 years ambulance experience, having managed many ambulance stations and ambulance control centres. He is now a trainer in advanced blue light driving, and ambulance courses including manual handling, safeguarding and all medical levels of ambulance skills. A former director of Operation Rudolph and trustee of TRIP through whom he delivered several first aid/defibrillator courses to the people of Honiton and surrounding areas. He is particularly interested in anything health or well-being related.

Vacancy

Robert Fowles

Councillor - elected 01.05.2025

21 Honeysuckle Drive
Honiton
EX14 2YL

07519 297788

RobertFowles@honiton.gov.uk

Register of Interests

Personal Biography

A resident of Honiton, Councillor Robert Fowles is retired. He trained as a civilian apprentice with the Ministry of Defence and as a territorial soldier in vehicle electrical and electronic systems. Employed by Crown Agents, he worked in Iran as a technician and trainer, before entering a career in Quality Assurance, working for various organisations in aerospace, aviation, defence and security. He has lived and worked in both Afghanistan and Dubai. Robert holds an HNC in Electrical and Electronic Engineering and a master’s in quality management. He is experienced in and passionate about business improvement, which has carried over into the Council work. He serves on several Committees and Working Groups looking to make improvements Council operations and in the wider community. He is also a volunteer in the Beehive café and at St. Mary’s, Ottery, responsible for electrical and plumbing issues and where he is a reader.

Chris Doran

Councillor - elected 01.05.2025

Berachah
Langford Road
Honiton
EX14 1QA

07771 978392

ChristopherDoran@honiton.gov.uk

Register of Interests

Personal Biography 

Chris Doran is a retired Chartered Structural Engineer, having worked in consultancy and for a national construction company in design & management of commercial, health, education and retail projects over a 50-year career. Before moving to Honiton in 2017, he was director or board trustee for CLIC Sargent [children’s cancer charity], Nightstop [homeless young people], and the Diocese of Gloucester Academy Trust. Whilst living in Honiton, he has been a trustee of Honiton Health Matters, Honiton Community Spaces [CUB], Honiton & Village News, and TRIP.

He trained in Christian ministry and is a member of Honiton Family Church - and has been keen for the church to support new community initiatives - such as Foodsave & Parental Minds, which both started life in our church halls. He would like to see village and church halls continue to host even more community groups and provide safe and warm spaces for groups to meet.

He is serving on committees focussed on local economy and tourism strategy and is enthusiastic about helping the local Honiton community during this crucial period of local government reorganisation. He would like to see more community meeting- spaces, more support for youth wellbeing services and stronger partnerships with the wider business and voluntary sectors.

Cathy Maunder

Councillor - elected 31.07.25

Elm View
Broadhembury
EX14 3NG

CathyMaunder@honiton.gov.uk

Register of Interests

Personal Biography

Councillor Cathy Maunder is proud to say that she is a cancer survivor. This diagnosis and survival gave her the courage to set up her own business as a support worker and enabler. She has met the most wonderful families, she feels privileged to be a part of their lives as she supports them in some very difficult times, whilst celebrating the smallest of achievements. She has lived in Honiton most of her life and is passionate about the wonderful town of Honiton and its residents. She can be found most days in the High Street with her little blind dog Amelie, enjoying the shops and ambience of this quintessential town.

Simon Atherton

Councillor - elected 31.07.25

Green Mead
Luppitt
Honiton
EX14 4TP

07874 272919

SimonAtherton@honiton.gov.uk

Personal Biography

A resident of Shaugh just outside Honiton where I have lived for around 10 years I was elected to HTC in May 2025 and now sit on several committees and working groups.

A career of over 30 years working in primary, middle and secondary schools has afforded me considerable experience of teaching and education of young people. Initially as a P.E. Specialist before adding maths qualifications to my CV then moving into senior management positions as Deputy Head for 10 years and finally 12 years as Headteacher of a large local primary school. In all settings, being able to work with young people, supporting their learning and watching them develop has been immensely enjoyable and rewarding.

I am particularly interested in all sport related activities whilst enjoying being active myself: something made easier by the coast and countryside we are lucky enough to live in and enjoy. I am a keen mountain bike rider frequently riding in N. Wales where my 3 children, now adults, are based.

Vacancy

Stephen Hill

Town Clerk

01404 42957

Clerk@honiton.gov.uk

Personal Biography

Stephen graduated in 1989 with a degree is Civil & Structural
Engineering and worked as a consultant in the water, sewage, environment and nuclear industries before joining Local Government in 1999. He is a Chartered Engineer and member of professional bodies. Stephen has worked at several District Councils and local councils in Devon, Somerset and Dorset, not least as Strategic Director responsible for Place services for the unique three District Councils partnership, ultimately through to forming unitary Dorset
Council. Stephen is a qualified CiLCA Clerk and Fellow of SLCC. In spare
time he is a keen cyclist and swimmer and married with 3 grown up boys. 

Mark Regan

Town Maintenance

07939391545

maintenance@honiton.gov.uk

Ruth Davenport

Town Clerk's Assistant

01404 42957

towncouncil@honiton.gov.uk

Personal Biography

Ruth graduated in 1999 with a Hons degree in Visual Communication. 

She has worked in Customer Service Management, Overseas Admissions and with SEN children, and holds an enhanced DBS certificate.

She enjoys the varied nature of working at Honiton Town Council, especially being involved in local events and projects.

Heloise Marlow

Deputy Clerk

01404 42957

deputyclerk@honiton.gov.uk

Personal Biography

Heloise has a degree in European Law from Exeter
University and after obtaining her Legal Practice qualification from Nottingham University started working as a solicitor with a practice in Exeter until 2013 when she opted for a career change in local government. Heloise particularly enjoys the varied nature of working in local government especially with regards to planning matters and event management.  Heloise obtained her CiLCA qualification in 2023. She is a fluent French speaker and is married with an adult son and daughter.  Her interests range from motorsport and travelling to reading a good thriller.

Dawn Reed

Town Clerk's Assistant

01404 42957

towncouncil@honiton.gov.uk

Bertie Rawlings

Market Superintendent

07572241835

marketsuperintendent@honiton.gov.uk