Role of the Chair of the Council
Since the council services are being streamlined and re-structured to produce a more effective and efficient service to the community, the role of the Chair has changed.
The main focus is on the core activities which define the nature and role of the office:
Chairing Council meetings
Leading Citizenship Ceremonies
Chairing Parish Liaison meetings
Sharing commemorative events, such as Remembrance Sunday, supporting our Armed Forces Week, and assisting veterans through the ‘military covenant’
Celebrating community landmark events
Welcoming royal visitors, members of the government and civic dignitaries
These categories will normally be definitive, but in exceptional circumstances support may be possible. If you have an event that meets one of the criteria outlined above, please contact the Chair's Office at Chairs_Office@BATHNES.GOV.UK and we will review any requests we receive.
Unfortunately it is not possible for the Chair to continue fund-raising for ‘the Chair’s charities’ but the Community Awards will continue. It is with regret that receptions and exhibitions have come to an end.
It should be noted that while the Chair will continue their duties as a ward councillor, hold surgeries for residents and so on, the position of Chair is strictly politically neutral, and the Chair will not be signing any petitions or joining any public campaigns.
Community Awards
The Awards recognise volunteers, community leaders, community organisations, carers and local businesses and highlights the positive impact they make on others and the wider community.
The Awards are organised annually in partnership with the Volunteer Centre Bath and beyond; social housing provider Curo; the Student Community Partnership, involving the University of Bath and Bath Spa University students unions; HCRG Care Group and The Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon, and Wiltshire Integrated Care Board.
Cllr Sarah Moore, Chair of the Council
Sarah was elected to represent the ward of Twerton in 2019 for the Liberal Democrats and became the Member Advocate for Accessibility in 2021.
Sarah was born in Fairfield Park, Bath and educated in local schools in Larkhall, and has lived in Twerton for over 20 years. Sarah is married with 2 children and is a Finance Administrator for a computer software company where she has worked ongoing for over 30 years.
Sarah has been a strong campaigner against school closures, she campaigned to get additional parking for residents and she also secured funding to get Kelston View resurfaced, which has led to her continuing to actively campaign to get more roads and pavements around Twerton resurfaced.
Sarah co-founded the Twerton & Whiteway Wombles litter pick group; she has organised the Community Speedwatch group and is a governor at Twerton Infant School.
Her key priorities are Accessibility, Education and Housing, she is keen to make sure every child is given fair and equal access to well-funded education, get more family homes for local residents and would like to see the whole area fully accessible for all.
She uses her hobby of knitting to raise money for various local charities and provide reading aids to local schools and nurseries.
Cllr Karen Walker, Vice Chair of the Council
Karen was first elected as an Independent Councillor for Peasedown in May 2015.
During her tenure on the council she has
2017/18 – Served as Vice-Chair of B&NES Council
2018/19 – Served as Chair of B&NES Council
2019 - 2023 – Served as Chair of the Climate Emergency & Sustainability PDS Panel
2019 – 2023 – Served as Leader of the Independent Group
Re-elected again in 2023, Karen now sits on the Children & Adults Health & Wellbeing PDS Panel. She also sits on the Avon Fire Authority.
Karen is a Trustee of the Peasedown Community Trust, which runs several projects in Peasedown St John – including the Community Library, Community Orchard, the Dementia Friendly Peasedown initiative and the popular Party in the Park Community Festival.
Karen is very passionate about the community in Peasedown and serving her residents well.