Town Councillors

Cllr Cary Matthews (Chairman)

Poulton Ward│Bay Independent Group

☎ 07867543543 ✉ cary.matthews@morecambe.gov.uk

Cary was elected to Morecambe Town Council in 2019 and became Chairman of the Council in September 2020. Cary is also the Chairman of the Environment Committee and is passionate about improving the open spaces across Morecambe.

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Cllr Paul Anderton (Vice Chairman)

Torrisholme Ward│Bay Independent Group

☎ 07709707018 ✉ paul.anderton@morecambe.gov.uk

Attending Lancaster Road School and the former Grammar School at Dallam Avenue, Paul studied Law at Preston Polytechnic prior to moving to Chester to complete his Law Society exams. Soon returning to Morecambe, Paul married a local nurse and has two children and grand daughter. With a commitment to serving the local community, Paul was a school governor at Greatwood Primary School for over twenty years and is currently the Chairman of the 16th Morecambe Scout Group, with other interests including cycling and the arts with a passion to restore the Morecambe Winter Gardens to its former glory having become one of its Directors.

Cllr June Ashworth

Bare North Ward│Morecambe Bay Independents

☎ 01524424770 ✉ june.ashworth@morecambe.gov.uk

I have been a School Governor of Sandylands Community Primary School since 1994, a trustee of Citizens Advice North West since 1991, and I was honoured to be the Mayor of the City of Lancaster District 2013-14.

My priority first and foremost is to represent the residents of Bare North, keeping the streets clean and weed-free – to see fines are enforced for littering and dog fouling.

I’d like to see the profile of Morecambe and Heysham increased to provide more employment opportunities and a better standard of living for everyone, with sustained tourism, and the Eden North Project completed.

Register of Interests Committees: Grants Committee │ Personnel Committee (Vice Chairman) │ Festivals, Sponsorships and Events Committee │ Finance and Governance Committee

Cllr Alex Ashworth

Bare North Ward│Morecambe Bay Independents

☎ 01524424770 ✉ alex.ashworth@morecambe.gov.uk

A true Lancastrian, I am Lancaster born and Morecambe bred. The youngest of 4 daughters who enjoys an active family life with my Mother and sisters.

Having worked for BT 20 years I am presently in the role of Sales support and Resolutions. At the moment, like many people during Covid, I am working from home but usually based in Lancaster. My role involves utilising my key skills of leadership, communication and problem solving. I greatly enjoy my work speaking to colleagues and clients from across the UK on a daily basis.

During 2014 I was Mayoress of Lancaster and Morecambe, I enjoyed serving the local community and supporting the Mayor in her duties, not only did I travel the country meeting a range of interesting people, including meeting the Queen, but was pleased to support and raise funds for a variety of Charities.

Cllr John Bates

Torrisholme Ward│Renew

☎ 01524831479 ✉ john.bates@morecambe.gov.uk

Biography to follow.

Cllr Mariusz Balcer

Harbour Ward│Independent

☎ 07999969110 ✉ mariusz.balcer@morecambe.gov.uk

Mariusz is a professional cabinet maker with over 27 years’ experience working for prominent furniture manufactures across Europe and the UK. Mariusz qualified as a Master Tradesman of Carpentry in 1998 and has a passion for producing quality work with exceptional attention to detail. Mariusz has been married for 27 years, arriving in England in 2004, and is now the Managing Director of MB Woodcraft Ltd, a company he set up in 2009. Mariusz is a keen kite surfer and a member of Morecambe Bay kitesurfing Club – he loves Morecambe Bay and prefers the English weather, especially when it’s windy.

Cllr Ava Balcer

Harbour Ward│Independent

☎ 07821713924 ✉ ava.balcer@morecambe.gov.uk

Ava came to England in 2004, living for a short while in Lancaster before moving to the seaside. Ava, who speaks several languages, mastered English by doing a GCSE course at the Adult College and very quickly advanced in her working career to become a Departmental Assistant at LGGS. Ava is very passionate about fitness, healthy lifestyle and environment. Ava loves the sea and can often be seen Stand-up Paddle boarding on the Bay, running or rollerblading along the promenade with her dog, a pass time she highly recommends. Ava currently runs MB Woodcraft, a fine carpentry business together with her husband.

Cllr Vicky Boyd-Power

Heysham North Ward│Bay Independent Group

☎ 07426339132 ✉ vicky.boyd-power@morecambe.gov.uk

I lived in Morecambe until I was 10 years old, attending Sandylands Primary School. My parents ran a B&B in the West End of Morecambe. We moved to Bristol when ICI closed at Middleton. I returned to Morecambe 17 years later which was over 25 years ago.

Working in a craft shop, I have lots of hobbies. At the moment crochet is my favourite. I also love to up-cycle furniture. I am also a passionate gardener and enjoy growing things to use in my other passion, cooking.

I love Morecambe and have felt it has been a poor relation to Lancaster for too long. I volunteer with Morecambe Bloomers who look after the train station planters, Victoria Street and Lord Street. I am a member of Morecambe Bid working with local businesses.

Register of Interests Committees: Grants Committee │ Festivals, Sponsorships and Events Committee │ Environment Committee

Cllr Catherine Pilling

Harbour Ward│Liberal Democrats

☎ Coming soon… ✉ catherine.pilling@morecambe.gov.uk

Although a relative newcomer to Morecambe I am looking forward to resolving the many issues that have not been dealt with over the years and finding out what matters most to residents, especially in Harbour Ward.

I have been involved in public service for many years and I hope I can bring that experience to bear during my time on Morecambe Town Council. I look forward to working with my fellow Councillors.

Cllr Patricia Clarke

Heysham North Ward│

☎ 01524 415125 ✉ patricia.clarke@morecambe.gov.uk

Biography to follow.

Cllr Ian Clift

Westgate Ward│Labour

☎ 07531525029 ✉ ian.clift@morecambe.gov.uk

Having lived in Westgate for many years, Ian worked at Heysham power
Station and Lancashire Probation Service. Ian has been Deputy Mayor, a City Councillor, Parish Councillor, school governor, and NHS trust governor. Ian played football for Morecambe and Lancaster, and has managed several local football teams, acting as a football scout for Everton FC and Manchester FC.

Cllr Glenys Dennison

Bare North Ward│Morecambe Bay Independents

☎ 01524 417710 ✉ glenys.dennison@morecambe.gov.uk

Born and brought up in Wales, Glenys has lived in Morecambe for 50 years, married to Roger for the same, with two sons, and three grandchildren. Working in the NHS for 40 years as a Midwife, and other roles as needed, in Cardiff, London, and Lancaster, Glenys now belongs to local groups such as the Fuchsia Society, WI and the Bloomers, doing a lot of work out in the community.

Cllr Roger Dennison

Torrisholme Ward│Morecambe Bay Independents

☎ 01524 417710 ✉ roger.dennison@morecambe.gov.uk

Married to Glenys, Roger has two sons with a career in local government spanning over thirty years. Roger is passionate about representing local people and finding solutions to problems that arise within the community. Roger volunteers with the Bloomers, Cub Scouts and is an active Armed Forces Champion.

Cllr Jason Firth

Westgate Ward│Morecambe Bay Independents

☎ 07726496210 ✉ jason.firth@morecambe.gov.uk

Jason has lived in Morecambe most of his life. He attended Greatwood Primary and Morecambe High school. Married with two grown up daughters, Jason believes Morecambe has got all it needs to be great again, but to actualise that potential it needs people who can see beyond the problems. People who will build rather than just take care.

Cllr Jake Goodwin

Westgate Ward│Bay Independent Group

☎ 07388224916 ✉ jake.goodwin@morecambe.gov.uk

I have lived in Morecambe all my life I went to school here and I love living here and it is where my heart is. I will always put Morecambe first that is why every idea or decision I make Morecambe is at that heart of it. Morecambe first, self second.

https://www.facebook.com/Councillor-Jake-Goodwin-110457147180740

Cllr Tricia Heath

Poulton Ward│Morecambe Bay Independents

☎ 07931176586 ✉ tricia.heath@morecambe.gov.uk

After her love of family and friends, Morecambe is top of Tricia’s priority list. She has Morecambe’s best interests at heart and has always been very positive about its great potential. Tricia is honoured to have served as a Poulton Ward councillor for many years, including four years as Leader of Lancaster City Council. She enjoys helping local people and fighting to get more funds directed to the improvement of Morecambe, as her passion has always been to promote Morecambe and its beautiful surroundings.

Register of Interests Committees: Grants Committee │ Personnel Committee │ Festivals, Sponsorships and Events Committee (Chairman) │ Finance and Governance Committee

Cllr Jim Pilling

Lune Drive Ward│Liberal Democrats

☎ 07970904022 ✉ jim.pilling@morecambe.gov.uk

With a firm belief that the steps being taken by the Council will result in much more robust and transparent procedures from now on, Jim will be working hard to help ensure the authority is best serving the residents of Morecambe and especially the residents of Lune Drive ward. Jim endeavours to keep everyone informed of what is going on in the Council and encourages residents to inform him of any problems, concerns or ideas.

Cllr Margaret Pattison

Out Moss Lane Ward│Labour

☎ 07896916216 ✉ margaret.pattison@morecambe.gov.uk

Biography to follow.

Cllr David Whitaker

Harbour Ward│Labour

☎ 07884488671 ✉ david.whitaker@morecambe.gov.uk

David has lived in Morecambe most of his life and has been an active member of the community, including the local music scene (as many people will know David can play the trombone and reached Grade 8 with a merit). David works in social care for Lancashire County Council and has always been passionate about workers rights and fairness in the workplace. Wearing another hat, David has been a member of Lancaster City Council for a number of years and was very honoured to undertake his Mayoral Year in 2019-20 where he raised money for Defying Dementia. David is also a very keen cyclist and loves nothing more than cycling along our lovely promenade and speaking to people on the way.

Cllr Paul Hart

Poulton Ward│Liberal Democrats

☎ 07961738325 ✉ paul.hart@morecambe.gov.uk

I have spent the vast majority of my life living and working in Poulton. Morecambe in general, but especially Poulton, has been very good to me and it is a great honour be a Councillor for the area. I have spent almost all my working life in business and I understand what Morecambe needs from local government if it is to be successful. If we cannot be proud of the way our town looks we cannot expect others to like it, and I am working all the time to improve conditions for both residents and visitors.

Cllr Gerald Blaikie

Bare South East Ward│Liberal Democrats

☎ (to follow) ✉ gerald.blaikie@morecambe.gov.uk

My name is Gerry Blaikie, I have been married to Jacky for 46 years and we have three children and six grandchildren. We have lived in Morecambe for 36 years Firstly on Hestham Hill and for the past 30 years on Beaufort Road in Bare. I retired from Lancashire County Council four years ago, where I drove a mobile library van around North Lancashire serving schools, sheltered housing, nursing homes, and rural villages.

I’m active in my local church and during the pandemic I’ve been volunteering at Morecambe Food Bank. We are members of both the National Trust and the R.S.P.B. I’m volunteer signalman on the Embsay & Bolton Abbey Railway and treasurer of a local model railway club.

Morecambe Town Council

Cllr Lynda Dagdeviren

Harbour Ward │ Liberal Democrats

☎ (to follow) ✉ lynda.dagdeviren@morecambe.gov.uk

(Bio to follow)

Cllr Wendy Cowley

Lowlands Road Ward │ Bay Independent Group

☎ (to follow) ✉ wendy.cowley@morecambe.gov.uk

I fell in love with Morecambe Bay and moved to live here over 10 years ago having met Stephen, my husband, who was born here and is proud of his roots. I have two children and between us we have seven, soon-to-be eight, grandchildren. I know what it’s like to serve the community and I’d like to see the profile of Morecambe and its surrounding areas increased to provide a better standard of living for all and better employment opportunities and to see the Eden North Project completed. I love Morecambe Bay and promote it whenever I can. If my voice can make a little difference, then that is what I want to use it for. I am proud of our town and the people who live in it and want to help improve it and make sure those who visit enjoy it to and return.

Cllr Bill Jackson

Westgate Ward│Liberal Democrats

☎ 07950036288 ✉ bill.jackson@morecambe.gov.uk

Originally from Barrow-in-Furness, Bill moved to Morecambe in 1974, working in the Police for over thirty years and then part-time in the North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust for fourteen years.

Bill lives with his wife in Westgate and has an ambition to, where possible, improve the quality of the area and most importantly the quality of life for residents.

Cllr Louise Stansfield

Heysham North Ward│Liberal Democrats

☎ (to follow) ✉ louise.stansfield@morecambe.gov.uk

Born in Keighley West Yorkshire, Louise moved to Morecambe in 1985 before moving to Cheltenham to work for GCHQ in 1989.

In 1987 Louise joined the Territorial Army in Cheltenham and served in the 37th/57th Signal Regiment until leaving for Australia in 1990.

Whilst I was in Australia, Louise started doing community-based charity work and fell in love with being involved with the Community House, later becoming the President of their committee.

Louise became a single parent in 1994 and moved back to Morecambe, caring for her son who was given a statement of special educational needs.

In 2006 Louise began working for the DWP in Morecambe, helping people find employment as well as ensuring they were receiving the right benefits.

Despite some recent health complications, Louise takes pride in being able to continue doing Charity work and in 2018 joined Stanleys and was asked to be a trustee for Stanleys Community Centre in 2019.

Cllr Phil Forster

Bare South West Ward│Liberal Democrats

☎ (to follow) ✉ phil.forster@morecambe.gov.uk

Phil joined the Council at the age of 70, born in Leeds and moved to Morecambe with his wife in 2006 – a move with no regrets. Phil trained as an electrician and since then has worked in different jobs as a Training Officer, Special Needs Tutor, Financial Adviser, and Recruitment Consultant. In his spare time, he makes home preserves and enjoys time with family and friends. Phil was a guide on the Bay Crossing walks for many years and wants to make sure that local people have a Morecambe they can be proud of and visitors have a positive view of the town.