Vote Beverley Baynham Independent
POLITICAL CAREER
Presteigne & Norton Town Council
I was co-opted onto the Town Council in June 2008 as I wanted to give something back to the community I love.
I have been re-elected in 2012, 2017 & 2022.
I have been Mayor twice in 2013/14 & 2023/24.
I have dedicated a huge part of my life to the Town Council and I am very proud of the things we have achieved over the years.
Town Council Achievements
I am very proud of the work I have done in the local community.
I have been involved in numerous projects over the years but several highlights are:
* Presteigne & Norton becoming the first Dark Sky Community in Wales & England,
* Fighting for new social housing
* Getting an extension & new car park at the Cemetery
* Providing allotments
* Creating Coed Llanandras - a large nature reserve in Presteigne
* Resurrecting Presteigne Carnival in 2014 after 17 years of non-existence. Which has gone from strength to strength and is a much loved event in the wider community.
County Councillor 2017-2022
After 11 years on the Town Council I decided to stand for County Councillor at the May 2017 elections.
I ran a successful campaign and won comfortably with over 65% of the vote.
At my first meeting as Cllr Baynham I was elected as Chairman of Radnorshire by my fellow councillors. Sadly the Shire Committees were disbanded and I am the last Chairman of Radnorshire. Something I am very proud of to this day.
I was duly elected as Vice-Chairman of Powys County Council in 2018 and took the office of Chairman of Powys County Council in May 2019. A role I carried out with integrity, fairness and total impartiality.
Due to Covid I remained as Chairman for 19mths.
In June 2021 I was invited to join the Cabinet as the Portfolio Holder for Corporate Governance & Regulatory Services and latterly Planning was also added to my portfolio.
It was a role I worked extremely hard in, dedicating time and effort to understand the functions of my portfolio. Granted some very difficult decisions had to be taken but I always understood the weight of my responsibility and tried to do my best.
County Councillor 2022-present
I stood again at the May 2022 elections. Following the Boundary Commission review the village of Norton had been moved to a different constituency and Presteigne was now a smaller area.
I successfully defended my position and won comfortably with over 71% of the vote.
I was elected as Vice Chairman of Powys County Council once again and took the office of Chairman in May 2023 for one year.
I became Leader of the Independent Group in May 2024 and subsequently Joint Leader when the two Independent Groups merged. We then formed the largest opposition group and I became Joint Leader of the Opposition. A role I currently continue in, doing my best to hold the Administration to account.