Become a councillor
Our councillors are elected to serve the public – could you be the next one? Find out more
Our councillors
Councillor Alex Firman
I’ve loved the Peak District for the last 40 years and I spend many hours exploring the countryside with my wife Annette and faithful dog Skye. Newly retired from a financial services and education background I have more time to indulge my interest in music playing as a duo with fellow councillor John Pailthorpe. I love living in Grindon and I want to contribute to a village which continues to develop in harmony with the traditional farming community but also recognises that the village must continue to evolve to enable itself to be a living thriving community.
![Alex Firman[481]](https://grindonpc.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Alex-Firman481-1-scaled.jpg "Alex Firman[481]")
Councillor Ann Morrell
Ann is a retired Pharmacy Technician. She has lived in Grindon for 34 years. Married to Eric, they have one daughter and two grandsons.
Her hobbies include horse riding, sailing and walking.
Ann has a particular interest in promoting rights of way, green lanes and byways and maintaining a peaceful and enriching environment for all of the villagers.
![Ann Morrell[482]](https://grindonpc.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Ann-Morrell482-scaled.jpg "Ann Morrell[482]")
Councillor Chris Spink
Chris is a hard working dairy farmer.
![Chris Spink[477]](https://grindonpc.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Chris-Spink477-1-scaled.jpg "Chris Spink[477]")
Councillor Geoff Nutter
Geoff is the councillor with the most experience, having been on the council and has previously been chairman for many years.
He farms a National Trust Farm in Grindon with his sons.
![Geoff Nuter[478]](https://grindonpc.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Geoff-Nuter478-1.jpg "Geoff Nuter[478]")
Councillor John Pailthorpe
I was born in London and moved to North Wales in 1977,finally moving to Grindon in 2019.
My main career was as a teacher of outdoor education and English as a Foreign Language. I now spend two months a year as a guide/historian on an expedition cruise ship around Britain and the Antarctic peninsula. I am committed to environmental issues and the restoration of natural habitats.
![John Pailthorpe[483]](https://grindonpc.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/John-Pailthorpe483-1-scaled.jpg "John Pailthorpe[483]")
Councillor Nichola Garrrat
I was born and brought up in Leicestershire and moved to Grindon in 2014.
I love living here in the Peak District, it’s a very special place and I want to contribute to the community and environment in Grindon
Nic is the current chair of Grindon Parish Council.
![Nic Garratt[476]](https://grindonpc.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Nic-Garratt476-1.jpg "Nic Garratt[476]")
Councillor Stan Stanish
I was brought up in Bakewell. I have lived in or around the Peak District for most of my life. I have run various businesses there, ranging from hospitality to forestry.
I also have previous experience as a Parish Councillor when I lived in Bamford, Derbyshire.
On moving to Grindon, I wanted to get involved and help the local community as best as I could.
![Stan Stanish[479]](https://grindonpc.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Stan-Stanish479-1-scaled.jpg "Stan Stanish[479]")
Our staff
Parish Clerk Carole Stanish
Carole has been the Parish Clerk since June 2023, so is still learning the role.
Carole grew up in Bakewell, Derbyshire and started her working life as a nurse, training in Sheffield before returning back to the Peak District once qualified. She has also been in business with her husband, firstly running a country pub in the South Yorkshire part of the Peak District and then building, creating and running a successful cafe in the midst of the Peak District. She retired from her last job as a Practice Manager for a GP surgery before moving to Grindon.
Carole occasionally does a shift helping out as a receptionist at the local GP practice when they need cover.
![Carole Stanish[480]](https://grindonpc.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Carole-Stanish480-1.jpg "Carole Stanish[480]")
How to become a councillor
A parish council is the tier of local authority closest to its community as it elects representatives from within that community. Parish councils are democracy on your doorstep. Anyone can stand as a candidate provided they meet the qualification requirements or you can find out more by contacting the local borough electoral services department.
You should be:
- Aged over 18.
- A British, Commonwealth citizen, or Euro-national citizen (who is a registered elector)
- Resident for 12 months prior to the day of election – either in the parish or within 3 miles of the boundary.
- Occupied land or premises for 12 months as owner or tenant – either in the parish or within 3 miles of the boundary
- Had a principal place of work – either in the parish or within 3 miles of the boundary.
You cannot become a councillor if:
- You hold a paid office with the council.
- If you are subject to a bankruptcy restrictions order or an interim order creates disqualification which dates from the judgement or execution and generally ends one year after the relevant order is made.
- If you have within five years before the election or since election been convicted in the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man of any offence and been sentenced to not less than three months imprisonment (whether suspended or not) without the option of a fine.
- Imprisonment probably includes any type of custodial sentence.
- This disqualification begins when the ordinary period for making an appeal is finally dismissed or abandoned or fails for want of prosecution.
You can get further information from the Staffordshire Parish Councils’ Association.
Editor notes for clerk: To add/edit councillor info, follow our guidance. To edit the ‘become a councillor’ text, please email us at digital@staffordshire.gov.uk
Our councillors
Councillor Alex Firman
I’ve loved the Peak District for the last 40 years and I spend many hours exploring the countryside with my wife Annette and faithful dog Skye. Newly retired from a financial services and education background I have more time to indulge my interest in music playing as a duo with fellow councillor John Pailthorpe. I love living in Grindon and I want to contribute to a village which continues to develop in harmony with the traditional farming community but also recognises that the village must continue to evolve to enable itself to be a living thriving community.
Councillor Ann Morrell
Ann is a retired Pharmacy Technician. She has lived in Grindon for 34 years. Married to Eric, they have one daughter and two grandsons.
Her hobbies include horse riding, sailing and walking.
Ann has a particular interest in promoting rights of way, green lanes and byways and maintaining a peaceful and enriching environment for all of the villagers.
Councillor Chris Spink
Chris is a hard working dairy farmer.
Councillor Geoff Nutter
Geoff is the councillor with the most experience, having been on the council and has previously been chairman for many years.
He farms a National Trust Farm in Grindon with his sons.
Councillor John Pailthorpe
I was born in London and moved to North Wales in 1977,finally moving to Grindon in 2019.
My main career was as a teacher of outdoor education and English as a Foreign Language. I now spend two months a year as a guide/historian on an expedition cruise ship around Britain and the Antarctic peninsula. I am committed to environmental issues and the restoration of natural habitats.
Councillor Nichola Garrrat
I was born and brought up in Leicestershire and moved to Grindon in 2014.
I love living here in the Peak District, it’s a very special place and I want to contribute to the community and environment in Grindon
Nic is the current chair of Grindon Parish Council.
Councillor Stan Stanish
I was brought up in Bakewell. I have lived in or around the Peak District for most of my life. I have run various businesses there, ranging from hospitality to forestry.
I also have previous experience as a Parish Councillor when I lived in Bamford, Derbyshire.
On moving to Grindon, I wanted to get involved and help the local community as best as I could.
Our staff
Parish Clerk Carole Stanish
Carole has been the Parish Clerk since June 2023, so is still learning the role.
Carole grew up in Bakewell, Derbyshire and started her working life as a nurse, training in Sheffield before returning back to the Peak District once qualified. She has also been in business with her husband, firstly running a country pub in the South Yorkshire part of the Peak District and then building, creating and running a successful cafe in the midst of the Peak District. She retired from her last job as a Practice Manager for a GP surgery before moving to Grindon.
Carole occasionally does a shift helping out as a receptionist at the local GP practice when they need cover.
How to become a councillor
A parish council is the tier of local authority closest to its community as it elects representatives from within that community. Parish councils are democracy on your doorstep. Anyone can stand as a candidate provided they meet the qualification requirements or you can find out more by contacting the local borough electoral services department.
You should be:
- Aged over 18.
- A British, Commonwealth citizen, or Euro-national citizen (who is a registered elector)
- Resident for 12 months prior to the day of election – either in the parish or within 3 miles of the boundary.
- Occupied land or premises for 12 months as owner or tenant – either in the parish or within 3 miles of the boundary
- Had a principal place of work – either in the parish or within 3 miles of the boundary.
You cannot become a councillor if:
- You hold a paid office with the council.
- If you are subject to a bankruptcy restrictions order or an interim order creates disqualification which dates from the judgement or execution and generally ends one year after the relevant order is made.
- If you have within five years before the election or since election been convicted in the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man of any offence and been sentenced to not less than three months imprisonment (whether suspended or not) without the option of a fine.
- Imprisonment probably includes any type of custodial sentence.
- This disqualification begins when the ordinary period for making an appeal is finally dismissed or abandoned or fails for want of prosecution.
You can get further information from the Staffordshire Parish Councils’ Association.