Meet Your Active Councillors!
Most of the electoral wards in Crawley match the town’s neighbourhoods. Some, like Pound Hill and Broadfield are split into more than one ward. If you are not certain which ward you live in, please look on the Ward Map, or contact Electoral Services on 01293 438705. You can contact your Councillor using the information on their page, or write to them: Crawley Borough Council, Town Hall, The Boulevard, Crawley, West Sussex, RH10 1UZ.
Address:
4 Reynolds Road,
West Green
Crawley,
West Sussex
RH11 7HA
Tel: 01293 401519
Email: bert.crane@crawley.gov.uk
Councillor Crane serves on the following committee:
Bert also sits on the Environment and Housing Policy Development Forum, the Housing Maintenance Working Group and the Local Development Forum Working Group.
Bert Crane was born in London and was only 16 years old when he joined the Navy. In 1948, Bert was discharged on health grounds after being diagnosed with Tuberculosis. Bert arrived in Crawley in an ambulance in 1951 at the age of 21. At this time, Crawley was a Parish Council with a population of around 26,000 people.
Councillor Crane began work as a Press Officer and six months later he stood in his first election which he lost by 23 votes. In 1954, Bert was elected to Horsham Rural District Council and became Secretary of the Labour Group.
Bert has been an avid fan Fulham FC fan since 1936 and enjoys watching football in his spare time. He is a member of the Royal Naval Association and the Russian Convoy Club. In 1995, Councillor Crane was made an Honorary Freeman of the Borough of Crawley.
Address:
4 Windrush Close
Gossops Green
Crawley
West Sussex
RH11 8LS
Tel: 01293 542359
Email: chris.cheshire@crawley.gov.uk
Councillor Cheshire serves on the following committees:
Chris is also a member of the Budget Advisory Group.
Chris Cheshire trained as a teacher and taught in London for 6 years before departing on a 5 year round the world trip. On her return to the UK, Chris spent 15 years teaching Integrated Humanities in Crawley. Chris retired from teaching when a serious illness left her wheelchair bound.
Councillor Cheshire first served on the Council in 2004. She represents Bewbush and continues to work towards the redevelopment of the local shopping parade.
Chris holds a Crawley Town FC season ticket and enjoys all sports, music, film, theatre and dancing.
Address:
8 Brettingham Close
Bewbush
Crawley
RH11 8FD
Tel: 07886 920815
Email: marion.ayling@crawley.gov.uk
Councillor Ayling serves on the following committees:
Marion also sits on the Grants Working Group and the Housing Maintenance Advisory Group
Marion was born in Crawley and went to the Hazelwick school before working as a credit control clerk until she had her children. Marion has six children, three now adults and three of school age. Marion now works at Bewbush Primary School where she holds the positions of mid-meal supervisor, breakfast club supervisor and teaching assistant for children with special needs.
Outside of work and family Marion runs the gardening club and is a member of the P.T.A at Bewbush Primary School and is also the chair and treasurer of Bewbush Labour Party.
Marion’s interests include gardening, knitting and cross-stitching.
Councillor Ayling was first elected to the Council in 2008.
Address:
14 Selsey Road
Broadfield North
Crawley
West Sussex
RH11 9HR
Tel: 01293 512650
Fax: 01293 517951
Email: brian.quinn@crawley.gov.uk
Councillor Quinn serves on the following committees:
Brian also sits on the Community Services Policy Development Forum, Local Development Framework Working Group and Grants Working Group.
Brian Quinn came to Crawley from Ireland in 1966 at the age of 20. He spent his first three months in the town working for APV before joining London Transport as a bus conductor. Brian has continued in the transport business and is currently an Operations Inspector for Arriva.
Councillor Quinn has served on the Council since 1995.
Brian is married and has two grown up daughters. His interests include golf, snooker, eating out and travel.
Address:
20 Tatham Court
Broadfield
Crawley
West Sussex
RH11 9LW
Tel: 01293 412332
Mobile: 07752 718953
Email: chris.redmayne@crawley.gov.uk
Councillor Redmayne serves on the following committees:
Chris also sits on the Corporate Resources Policy Development Forum, the Budget Advisory Group and the Local Development Framework Working Group.
Chris Redmayne was first elected in 1988.
Chris has held several offices during his time as a Councillor and now plays an active role in local government life beyond the borough boundary, representing Crawley's interests in the county, particularly through the West Sussex Leaders’ Forum.
Chris is married with two daughters. He works as an independent financial adviser.
Address:
21 Ivanhoe Close
Langley Green
Crawley
West Sussex
RH11 7UF
Tel: 01293 551908
Fax: 01293 551908
Email: david.shreeves@crawley.gov.uk
Councillor Shreeves serves on the following committees:
David also sits on the Community Services Policy Development Forum.
David Shreeves was born in London and lived in Eastbourne until he was in his mid 20s. David settled in Crawley over 20 years ago and has worked as a Security Officer at Gatwick Airport for 30 years.
David was elected to the Council in 2003 and prior to this he held various posts in the voluntary sector. The redevelopment of Langley Green centre is a long term goal for Councillor Shreeves and he is committed to working with various organisations to provide more effective community services.
Councillor Shreeves is an Arsenal supporter and enjoys spending his free time with his wife and animals in Langley Green.
Address:
23 Fitchet Close
Langley Green
Crawley
West Sussex
RH11 7PY
Tel : 01293 406704
Email: brenda.smith@crawley.gov.uk
Councillor Brenda Smith is Leader of the Labour Group and serves on the following committees:
Brenda also sits on the Corporate Resources Policy Development Forum, the Town Hall Working Group and the Town Centre North Working Group.
Brenda Smith was born in London and after moving to Crawley attended Ifield Community College. She started her career in Banking and later trained as a Legal Secretary. Brenda then worked for 17 years as a Road Safety Officer for West Sussex County Council.
Councillor Smith was first elected in 1978 and is the Leader of the Labour Group. She was the Council’s representative on the Bagnall Commission which looked at the provision of a new hospital in Crawley and was also instrumental in introducing the first public Mother and Baby room in Crawley.
Brenda has four children and six grandchildren. Her interests include cycling and travelling, particularly to India and Egypt.
Address:
23 Fitchet Close
Langley Green
Crawley
West Sussex
RH11 7PY
Tel: 01293 406704
Email: james.smith@crawley.gov.uk
Councillor Jim Smith serves on the following committees:
Jim also sits on the Town Hall Working Group and the Town Centre North Working Group.
Jim Smith moved to Crawley in 1953 and found work making medical vacuums. He went on to work as a College Lecturer in Engineering, first at Central Sussex College and then at Lewisham College. Jim worked as a magistrate in Crawley for 27 years, retiring at the age of 67.
Councillor Jim Smith was first elected to the Council in 1969 and has since been Mayor four times, the first in 1971. Jim is also a County Councillor where his main interests are recreation and leisure issues such as the Hawth and K2.
In his spare time, Jim enjoys DIY and spending time with his daughter. He is also interested in experiencing different cultures and has visited Goa and Egypt with his wife, Brenda.
Local Councillors are elected in thirds, which means only a third of the seats will be up for election at any one time. The Mayor is elected annually and carries out a large programme of civic duties and attends many charitable events. Apart from the Borough Council, the people of Crawley have political representation on three other levels – at County level, through West Sussex County Council; at national level, through the local Member of Parliament (MP); and at European level through the South East Regional Members of the European Parliament (MEPs). If you are not sure which ward you live in, please contact us. Use the links to find out more about your Councillor. You can contact your Councillor using the information on below, or write to them c/o Crawley Borough Council.
Address:
44 Town Mead,
West Green
Crawley
West Sussex
RH1 7EF
Tel: 01293 401519
Email: robert.hull@crawley.gov.uk
Councillor Hull serves on the following committees:
Robert Hull lived in Crawley from 1956-1979, then moved to Paris from 1980-1990, before moving back to Crawley. He worked with IBM from 1999-2000 and has been Webmaster for several non-commercial websites. Robert is currently working for Barclaycard.
Councillor Hull’s interests include reading and his favourite author is Robert Ludlam. Robert also enjoys dining out and moderate keep fit.