Councillor Fiona Martin MBE – Chairman & Mayor
Fiona has lived in Horncastle for over 45 years. Her four grown up children attended Horncastle Schools and most of her family still live locally. Two of her grandsons currently attend Horncastle Community Primary School.
Fiona has been involved and worked with, many local organisations and been a governor for three of our local schools in the past. She is currently a Trustee of Horncastle Community Centre and the Stanhope Hall. Fiona chaired the 100th Anniversary of the end of WW1 working group that organised the commemorative weekend in 2018, and the Events 2023 committee that organised Coronation celebrations. She is extremely proud to be President of the hardworking Otters Swimming Club and is also the Treasurer of the Horncastle & District Royal British Legion.
Fiona will continue to work to ensure that more assets and services are managed locally.
Email: fiona.martin@horncastletowncouncil.co.uk
Councillor James Martin – Vice Chairman
James has lived in Horncastle all his life and was educated in the town. He works for a National Veterinary Chain, overseeing Pharmaceutical storage and compliance and distribution. He is married with 3 young children, 2 of whom currently attend Horncastle Primary. James has served on Horncastle Town council since 2015. In that time he has served on Estate and Personal and Finance committees and has been part of the working group overseeing Asset Transfers to the Town Council from ELDC.
Raising a young family in Horncastle, James feels that he has a good insight into the problems facing the town and he will work with others to find solutions to these problems, while promoting everything that is great about our town.
E-mail: james.martin@horncastletowncouncil.co.uk
Councillor Mike Beecham
I was born in Grantham, so am Lincolnshire born and bred. I entered the printing industry on leaving school, and am a qualified typographer and compositor. I started working in the IT industry in the early 1970s and have worked my way up in the industry from software analyst/developer, eventually to an IT department managership. I have always been interested in local issues, such as tourism, access to health and planning, and want to use my time and business experience for the benefit of the local community.
E-mail: mike.beecham@horncastletowncouncil.co.uk
Councillor Angela Birchall
Angela was elected onto Horncastle Town Council in 2011, shortly after
retiring from a career in Education. She is committed to supporting the local
community and volunteers for several organisations – SSAFA (working with
ex-military personnel), Age UK, Horncastle Community Centre and is a School
Governor. One of her first suggestions on joining Horncastle Town Council was
that the Council should hold Council Surgeries so that councillors are
regularly available to talk, informally, to any members of the public who would
like to speak to them on any issues. The dates for the surgeries are advertised
in the Horncastle News and on our website. Since joining the Town Council she
has served on many committees and working groups and has previously been the
Town Mayor. Her children all went to school in Horncastle, as do two of her
grandchildren, so she is keen to ensure that Horncastle continues to develop as
a vibrant community and a great place to live.
E-mail: angela.birchall@horncastletowncouncil.co.uk
Councillor Brian Burbidge
Brian is married with two children and is a grandfather to four boys and one
girl. He is qualified as an electromechanical engineer and later studied
ceramics and set up his own company, this allowed him travel the world problem
solving for companies in the heavy clay industry. He has been involved in local
activities since 2005, becoming part of Horncastle Theatre Company, Horncastle
Now and subsequently Horncastle Festivals. His involvement with local groups
led him to believe there was an opportunity to join with local people in
promoting the town. His aim is to do whatever he can to retain Horncastle as a
desirable place in which to live, work and visit.
E-mail: brian.burbidge@horncastletowncouncil.co.uk
Councillor Mark Everton
E-mail: mark.everton@horncastletowncouncil.co.uk
Councillor Terry Macarthy
I was born in Southampton and as my Father was in the RAF, I have lived in
many places including Aden and Singapore.
My husband and I moved to Horncastle in 1990 from Nottinghamshire for a semi-retirement, when we started a small business on St Lawrence Street, until he fully retired in 2003 – I ran the office / accountancy side of the business. We moved to Horncastle initially as it was a lovely town with amenities that we thought were important. Luckily, we still have most of these in the town today and part of my enthusiasm in being involved in the local Council is to make sure that this continues.
E-mail: terry.macarthy@horncastletowncouncil.co.uk
Councillor Mick Rogan
I moved from Birmingham to Horncastle with my wife 3 years ago. I am a dad of 3 as well as grandad to 3 fabulous but cheeky grandchildren. I work for Horncastle Education Trust as Senior Estates Assistant. Weekends and holidays I enjoy spending time with the family and travelling. Since moving to Horncastle I have volunteered, helping out with many of the towns annual activities. I am keen to work with my fellow councillors to improve and promote the town and make it a great place to live.
Email: mick.rogan@horncastletowncouncil.co.uk
Councillor Claire Smedley
I moved to Hemingby in 1983, I attended Baumber county primary school and then QEGS.
I moved to Nottinghamshire for a few years in the 90’s and returned first to Hagworthingham in 2002 and then to Horncastle in 2006. My daughter attended both primary and secondary school in Horncastle.
I have worked for several businesses in Horncastle in the past as well as local shops and pubs in my student days. Having lived here for quite some time I know many residents old and new.
I take on a very solution focused approach to life. As an accredited talking therapist, I am a natural communicator and understand other’s frame of reference. I am also aware of the impact that can be experienced by people on issues that others may deem unimportant.
I have seen the town quadruple in size over the past 40 years and although expansion is inevitable, I feel passionate that we don’t lose the community feel that makes Horncastle so special. I hope to use my skills as well as local knowledge to bring together the town council and the residents of Horncastle to collaboratively continue to achieve this.
Councillor Stephen Thompson
Stephen moved to Horncastle in 2023, after commuting back and forth since 2008! He says “Horncastle is now my town, and I want to do my part to help the local community and show my appreciation for making me feel so welcome. I think that becoming a Town Councillor would enable me to use my knowledge and expertise to help promote the town in a positive way and make it a better place for everyone to live, particularly making the town greener and more environmentally friendly. A better home, not just for people but for all flora and fauna to thrive.”
Email: stephen.thompson@horncastletowncouncil.co.uk
Councillor Matt Wilkinson
Matt grew up in Horncastle and after some time away moved back in 2003. He is married with 2 children attending Horncastle Schools and works as a Development Manager covering all aspects of retail construction and development in convenience retailing. Hobbies and interests include cycling, walking and football (watching not playing). He joined the Council in 2011 and is passionate about improving Horncastle for future generations.
E-mail: matt.wilkinson@horncastletowncouncil.co.uk
Councillor Owen Wilkinson
Owen is now the youngest member of the Town Council (by quite a bit) and is keen to represent the younger residents of the town. Owen has lived in Horncastle for most of his 18 years, he was educated in the town and has just recently finished his A-levels and is looking to start his professional career in the local area. Owen is a registered Referee and a 2nd Dan Black belt in Taekwondo. Owen is a passionate individual who is keen to work with others to help achieve whatever goals are set for the town and hopes to bring a different perspective to the Council due to his age.
E-mail: owen.wilkinson@horncastletowncouncil.co.uk
GOOD COUNCILLORS GUIDE
REPRESENTATIVES
ELDC – CCTV PARTNERSHIP: Mike Beecham
GEORGE WHELPTON’S ALMHOUSES TRUST: Fiona Martin and Mike Beecham (4 year term – ends April 2026)
HURSTCROFT & SNODEN CHARITIES: Angela Birchall (4 year term – ends April 2027)
MANOR HOUSE STREET SCHOOL TRUST: Matthew Wilkinson (4 year term – ends April 2027)
HORNCASTLE WALKERS GROUP: Paul Bushell
MISCELLANEOUS
COMMUNITY EMERGENCY PLAN VOLUNTEERS: Mike Beecham, Angela Birchall, Brian Burbidge and Fiona Martin
MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AIDER: Fiona Martin and Stephen Thompson
HAMERTON GARDEN VOLUNTEERS: Terry Macarthy
PLATFORM HOUSING MEETINGS: Mike Beecham, Angela Birchall and Fiona Martin
ATTENDANCE
Councillors’ Interests
Disclosable pecuniary interests
In accordance with the Localism Act 2011 all councillors have to declare their disclosable pecuniary interests and those of their wife/husband/civil partner.
Councillors with a pecuniary interest in relation to any item being discussed at a meeting may remain in the room but must not speak or vote on it.
Dispensations for certain disclosable pecuniary interests
Where most or all of the members on the Council has a pecuniary interest in the business due to be discussed they can apply for a dispensation (eg deciding on the Council’s response to a proposed development that affected the whole, or a large proportion of the parish).
A member must request for a dispensation in writing using the appropriate form and this must be with the Proper Officer by the start of the meeting to which it relates
Copies of declaration forms for Town Councillors are available on request from the Town Clerk or by clicking here