Parish Councillors
Firle Parish Council consists of five councillors elected by residents of the Parish every four years. The position is unpaid, although councillors are entitled to an allowance and reimbursement of expenses. The next scheduled Parish Council elections are May 2023.
your parish councillors
Cllr Richard Gravett (Chairman)
Born in the Parish of Firle, I have lived here all of my life. I have strong family values and I wholeheartedly believe in community spirit and have always put the needs of the village first.
An electrical engineer by profession, running two businesses entailing work throughout the Parish, I am proud that in my professional life I continue to work within our community. Outside of work I am a life member of Firle Cricket Club and I am Chairman of Firle Bonfire Society.
I have lengthy experience on the Council, and I became Chairman in late 2020. I am fair, loyal and committed and not scared to make tough decisions. Being new into this role, I am keen to modernise the workings of the Council ensuring the needs of the Parish and its Parishioners are reflected. I am very keen to move forward with the many important issues facing our village, for the betterment of our Parish and therefore our community.
Cllr Andrew Barr (Vice Chairman)
I moved to Firle, with my sheep in 1985 and have lived here ever since. I was asked to join the Parish Council in the early 1990s and have been both the Chairman of the Parish Council and the Playing Fields and Memorial Hall Committee. Along with considerable community effort, I was involved in the re-building of the Memorial Hall, resulting in the modern and well-used resource it is today. I try to bring a rural and farming balance to the Parish Council and its co-existence with Firle Estate.
Cllr Natasha Bolger
I was delighted to have been elected to the Firle Parish Council (FPC) in 2021. We have lived in Firle since 2006, raising and schooling our three children in this wonderful community. The work of the FPC has become more important as the issues our community faces become ever more complex and affected by national and global events. It is now May 2022 and I’ve seen so much evidence in the work of the FPC that becoming involved at this parish level does make a difference, and I feel honoured to be able to play a role alongside my excellent fellow parish councillors in supporting and strengthening our community. I look forward to engaging with all members of the parish community and would encourage anyone to approach me or any FPC member with any issues they’d like to raise.
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Cllr Liz Hill
I have a background in environmental pollution and came to live in Firle 17 years ago when I was working at the University of Sussex. I am an active member of several community organisations in the village which include managing the allotments, the church, and the village fete. I have also recently helped set up the Firle Community Association.
I joined the Parish Council in 2020 because I wanted to make a positive difference to the village environment and its community. I am keen for the Parish Council to increase communication within our community and help tackle some of the many important issues affecting the village and its residents.
Cllr Edgar Symes
Having grown up in a small village I understand and appreciate fully the value and benefit of living in a strong community. It is my desire to help nurture and care for the wonderful, vibrant community that we have here in Firle and to promote a sense of inclusivity for residents and visitors alike. My love of the natural world leads my interest in our immediate and the wider environment, with particular focus on sustainability and the care and protection of all flora and fauna.
It is my sincere belief that we have a duty of care, to respect and act with compassion towards all living things. I have lived in Firle for many years now and in my role as a councillor, I hope to bring a thoughtful, positive and proactive approach to the Parish Council.
Parish Council Staff
The council is served by a Clerk, also known as Proper Officer, who is responsible for the administration of the council. The Clerk is also the Responsible Financial Officer (RFO) which is a statutory position for the management of public money.