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Newly elected Adur Chairman to launch community defibrillator appeal

23 May 2018 2:14 PM | Lauren Martin-Grieveson (Administrator)


Newly elected Adur Chairman to launch community defibrillator appeal

Adur District Council’s first independent Chairman for 15 years has vowed to raise the profile of the role while raising money for life-saving equipment in the community.

Councillor Joss Loader, who represents Marine ward on behalf of the Shoreham Beach Residents’ Association (SBRA), was officially confirmed in the role at local authority’s annual meeting last week (Thursday May 18, 2018)

As first citizen of the District, Cllr Loader will represent the Council at community and civic events for the next year.

The former journalist has pledged to use the term in office to raise the profile of the area, which she praised for its “fantastic community spirit”.

She said: I would like to raise the post's profile and to demonstrate to our great local residents, organisations and charities that they are fully supported by Adur District Council in the work they do. There is some uncertainty about the role of a Chairman - as people identify more readily with the office of a Mayor. I will work to raise greater awareness and engagement.”

Traditionally, the Adur Chairman has raised money for charities in the area during their 12 months in office. But Cllr Loader said she wants to use her term to launch a Community Defibrillator Appeal to provide life-saving, publicly accessible machines across the towns and villages of Adur.

She said: “We have already done this with great success on Shoreham Beach and SBRA installed two defibrillators last month after a fund-raising drive. It's early days, but I plan to work with local community groups to try to ensure that all areas have 24/7 access to these great machines.

“I am doing this in memory of my late father, Brian Hollebone, who died very suddenly from a catastrophic heart attack more than 30 years ago, when defibrillators were not not available.  If just one resident's life can be saved, I shall consider it a job very well done.”

Cllr Loader replaces Councillor Peter Metcalfe, who served in the role for the second time in five years.

The new Vice Chairman is Councillor George Barton, who lives in Sompting and represents Peverel ward.

Read on to find out more about the new Chairman.

What is your background?

I have a grown-up son and daughter and I raised my family on Shoreham Beach, living here for nearly 20 years. Professionally, I am a qualified journalist who held posts as news editor on the  Shoreham Herald and Assistant Editor/News Editor on the Worthing Herald. I also worked for The Evening Argus in the late 80s.

More recently, I've held senior communications posts at a number of organisations including the NHS; Shoreham Power Station during its £200m construction and commissioning phase; local government and the Royal Armouries Museum. I now work as a freelance PR consultant and I also teach English as a foreign language at a local language school.

Why did I become a councillor?

As a former newspaper reporter, It was something I vowed that I would never do!  However, a strong interest in my local community - plus the chance to stand as an Independent candidate for Shoreham Beach Residents' Association (SBRA) - proved too appealing for me to resist.  I have a passion for communications and keeping residents fully engaged, consulted and informed.

What are your priorities for the coming year as Chairman?

I would like to raise the post's profile and to demonstrate to our great local residents, organisations and charities that they are fully supported by Adur District Council in the work they do. There is some uncertainty about the role of a Chairman - as people identify more readily with the office of a Mayor. I will work to raise greater awareness and engagement.

Which charities will you be supporting as Chairman?

Adur has fantastic charities and voluntary organisations, all doing amazing work. Rather than choosing any specific charities, I intended to launch a  Community Defibrillator Appeal to provide life-saving, publicly accessible machines across the towns and villages of Adur.

We have already done this with great success on Shoreham Beach and SBRA installed two defibrillators last month after a fund-raising drive. It's early days, but I plan to work with local community groups to try to ensure that all areas have 24/7 access to these great machines.

What makes Adur a special place?  

Adur is made up of very distinct communities, comprising Shoreham, Lancing, Sompting, Southwick and Fishersgate. What our residents do have in common is a very strong "sense of place" and a fabulous community spirit, combined with passion and commitment to enhancing where we live. On a personal level, it simply feels like "home".


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