New council Champions announced

The Champions will be representing the community in these areas in all council business and meetings.

The Champions are:

Cllr Jo Asher – Armed Forces Champion

Supporting any serving or ex-service personnel, or other charity or community groups with service connections.

Cllr Rose Forman – Domestic Abuse Champion

Promoting awareness of abuse and supporting victims.

Cllr Amanda Burrell – Equality Champion

Encouraging equality and good relationships with the community.

Cllr Buddy Anderson – Young Person’s Champion

Being a voice for young people and celebrating their success.

Cllr Phil Knowles, Leader of Harborough District Council, said: “Connectivity and involvement with our community is vitally important. Each one of our Champions holds the responsibility and the privilege to act as the all-important conduit to and with the council. I look forward to supporting our Champions over the months and years ahead.”

Cllr Jo Asher, Armed Forces Champion, said: “I am delighted to be the Armed Forces Champion for the council. I feel that it is important that service members, veterans and their families are supported in our district and working with our Armed Forces Officer we aim to provide help, support and information on housing, health and wellbeing, education and training. I am also committed to helping the local armed forces charities too.”

Cllr Rose Forman, Domestic Abuse Champion, said: “I am proud to be Domestic Abuse Champion for Harborough District Council. I have spent much of my career working with vulnerable people and many survivors of domestic and sexual abuse. This is a cause that is close to my heart. I want to be able to use my position to represent and give a voice to those who have felt unheard, while also championing the help that is available in the district.”

Cllr Amanda Burrell, Equality Champion, said: “I am pleased to be the new Equality Champion and hope to work with officers and members to ensure we welcome, value and encourage all people who use or deliver our services and make those services fair and accessible to everyone. We should all treat people with respect and celebrate their differences.

Cllr Buddy Anderson, Young Person’s Champion, said: “I am delighted to accept the role of Young Person’s Champion for the Harborough district. When I first decided to stand in the local elections this year, I did so on a platform of wanting to see young people better represented in the community. I hope that when people my age or younger look to our council, they see one that works not just for one group of people, but for the entire district. I hope that I can do justice to the post not only on behalf of the youth, but their parents or caregivers also.”