Parish Councillors
The Council consists of 9 members, of whom 8 represent Rowlands Castle Ward, and one represents Finchdean Ward. All councillors are unpaid and they are required to work together to serve the interests of the Parish, bring local issues to the attention of Council, and help it make decisions on behalf of the local community. All councillors have a duty to abide by the Council’s Code of Conduct, adopted on 6 February 2023.
Ordinary elections for Council membership take place every 4 years. The Council may choose someone to fill a vacancy if an insufficient number of candidates is proposed for election. If a vacancy occurs between elections (eg if a member resigns), the Council must ascertain whether electors want an election to fill it (a by-election); if not, the Council can co-opt a suitable candidate instead.
At the Annual Meeting of the Council each May, members elect one of their number to act as Chair for the forthcoming year. In addition, Council may elect a Vice-Chair, agree which members will serve on Council’s committee(s), act as bank account signatories etc.
All councillors are required to complete a Register of Interest form upon election/co-option, which is reviewed annually. These forms are published by East Hants District Council and can be viewed at Members’ Register of Interests.
Residents are encouraged to contact individual parish councillors on the matters on which they lead. These are listed in their entries below, and may be subject to change.
Parish Councillors
Frank Ball
Member of Staffing & Remuneration Committee and RCPC Representative on the Parish Hall Management Committee.
LEADS ON: The Parish Hall
I was originally co-opted to the Council in May 2018 then elected in May 2019 and again in May 2023. I have lived in Rowlands Castle since September 2016. Prior to my retirement, I spent my working life in Newcastle, Cardiff and London, in HR roles in medical education and NHS Mental Health Trusts. I enjoy walking with my dog and spending time with my family. My interest in astronomy had led to me becoming a member of Hants Astro and I also enjoy music, having been an amateur orchestral player for many years.
T: 07888 721040
E: frank.ball.rcpc@outlook.com
Stuart Donald
Member of Staffing & Remuneration Committee
LEADS ON: Flooding Matters
I was co-opted onto the Council in April 2020 then elected in May 2023. I have lived in Rowlands Castle since November 2006. Prior to my retirement a few years ago, I was a practising chartered surveyor. I worked in London and across Europe as both a sole practitioner and also for various global companies, specialising in retail property strategy amongst other things. I have several grandchildren with whom I love to spend time (and their parents). I am a keen photographer and enjoy long country walks. I also like to travel and am busy ticking off places on my bucket list.
T: 07778 474610
E: RCPC@stuartdonald.co.uk
Jonathan Edwards
Member of Staffing & Remuneration Committee and RCPC Representative on the Parish Hall Management Committee
LEADS ON: The Parish Hall
I was co-opted onto the Council in August 2019 then elected in May 2023. I served in the Army for 19 years before becoming the Bursar at 2 schools then the Finance Director of a publishing house. I retired in 2018 having also been a governor of a school in East London for 5 years. I am still a trustee and clerk to the Board of Trustees of another School Foundation. I am a volunteer for Stansted House Light Railway and enjoy playing croquet and badminton as well as music of many different genres.
T: 02392 412795
E: j.edwards.rcpc@gmail.com
Yvonne Haggard
Member of Staffing & Remuneration Committee and RCPC Representative on the Parish Hall Management Committee
LEADS ON: The Parish Hall and Environmental Matters, and temporarily leading on SDNP matters
I was co-opted onto the Council in May 2022 then elected in May 2023. I’ve lived in Rowlands Castle on and off for 13 years, moving here permanently some years ago to be closer to my daughter and her family. I wanted to become a parish councillor to help maintain Rowlands Castle Parish as such a special place to live. Before retiring, I had a successful career in kitchen design and sales. I am a keen, experienced gardener and allotment holder, who still acts as a consultant to businesses wanting gardens and greenery on their premises. My grandson and I also volunteer on the Watercress Line Heritage Railway.
T: 07833 570746
E: cllryhaggardrcpc@icloud.com
Victoria Matthews
Finance Reviewer
LEADS ON: Environmental Matters
I was co-opted onto the Council in October 2020 and elected May 2023. I have lived in the village since 2020 and wanted to contribute to this special community. During my working life, I was responsible for the Neurology Nurse Service for Portsmouth & South East Hampshire, then lead Multiple Sclerosis specialist nurse for the Wessex Region and also National Adviser for an MS Charity. I am also a qualified counsellor and currently chair a Group of international experts developing a global nurse education programme. Having studied fine art many years ago, I now enjoy combining my experience in my role as art facilitator for a local charity, providing art on prescription for those with poor mental health and/or difficulties due to chronic health problems. I also love walking, swimming, gardening and bird-watching but most of all people.
T: 02392 174009
E: cllrvmatthewsrcpc@gmail.com
Ian Moore
Finance Reviewer
LEADS ON: Recreation Ground
I was co-opted onto the Council in April 2021 and elected in May 2023. I moved to Rowlands Castle in 2021 have previously lived in Waterlooville for 20 years. I served in the Royal and Oman Navy before a career in the fire safety industry with many international placements including Taiwan and the UAE. I currently hold the role as Chief Executive of the Fire Industry Association (FIA), Europe’s largest such organisation. I am a serving Magistrate in Portsmouth and was recently the Chair of the Board of Trustees of a children’s cancer charity. I am a keen (but very average) golfer at Rowland’s Castle Golf Club, a grandfather and sailor in my spare time.
T: 07989 386807
E: ian.moore.rcpc@gmail.com
Chris Stanley
Chair of the Council and Finance Reviewer
LEADS ON: Havant Reservoir and Transport & Roads Matters
I was co-opted to the Council in July 2015, and then elected in May 2019 and again in May 2023. I served as a Royal Navy warfare officer for 34 years, and then, as a civil servant, at the Defence Science & Technology Laboratory until I retired in September 2015. My wife and I moved to Rowlands Castle in 2009, having spent many years walking in the local area. Prior to that, we lived in Denvilles on the east side of Havant where I spent 14 years on the Warblington & Denvilles Residents Association Committee fulfilling various roles.
T: 02392 412340
E: c.stanley.rcpc@btinternet.com
Bill Wilson
LEADS ON: Planning Matters incl Land East of Horndean Development
I was elected to the Council in May 2011, and again in May 2015, May 2019 and May 2023. I have lived in the Parish since 1982. I have now retired, after working for a large multi-national IT services company for 36 years. I am also a Governor of St. John’s CEC Primary School in Rowlands Castle. I enjoy taking walks around the beautiful countryside in this area, including the Stansted Estate, and I represent the Parish Council on the Friends of Stansted Park Committee.
T: 02392 412405
E: b.wilson.rcpc@gmail.com
Vacancy for Finchdean Ward
TBC
GENERALLY LEADS ON: Flooding and South Downs National Park
No candidate stood/was nominated for this place at the May 2023 elections and so there is currently a vacancy on the Parish Council. Anybody interested in filling the vacancy (they do not have to live in Finchdean) is welcome to contact the Clerk – see Contact Page.
