Sylvia Verrinder
Councillor
What part of the village do you live in?
I have lived in Greenacres Ring, (North of the Village) since 1987.
What is your Background?
I have worked all my life for the BBC in London and Tatsfield, The Sussex Police Authority in Crawley as a Prosecution Process Clerk, Movement Controller at Gatwick Handling, Gatwick Airport. Operations & Crewing Officer at Britannia Airways, Luton and finally for 25 years with the Civil Aviation Authority culminating as Head of Simulator Training & Approval Administration in Flight Operations.
Alongside my civil employment I was employed as a member of the Territorial Army (TA) for 35 years. During this time, I was the first female in the TA to be commissioned from the ranks, I ended up as a Major. I served as a member of the Women’s Royal Army Corp until its closure working with the RASC and RCT until its closure and as a member of the Royal Logistics Corp (RLC). My role in Transport, Movements and Logistics has taken me to many parts of Europe, including Washington working with the American 3rd Airforce. I was also involved with the Falklands and first Kuwait conflicts. I was awarded the Silver Jubilee Medal and service medal for OR Service and Territorial Decoration for Officer Service.
On retirement from my civilian employment, I worked for the NHS in a temporary capacity for five years. I became a co-opted Councillor in 2009 and was involved in the production of the Neighbourhood Plan. My greatest concern was the lack of response by authorities to the problem of flooding in Angmering and so I wrote the Emergency and Resilience Plan (led a working group) and worked with the various authorities to try to understand why the village flooded as it did and how it can be resolved, hence the web-camera now positioned at the entrance to the culvert at the end of Weavers Hill.
Until its closure, I was the Secretary of the Angmering Society an organisation very concerned with the historical aspects of the Village and the conservation of the dwellings and listed buildings in and around the conservation area.
As a Parish Councillor in 2009 – 2016. I was Vice-Chairman and chaired all the Committees at one time or another together with representing the Parish on various external agencies at times chairing those agencies. I together with committee members achieved the production of the Neighbourhood Plan, The Parish Emergency Plan and the siting of the Exercise Equipment on Mayflower Park. I was also a founder member of Angmering in Bloom, the Community Land Trust and the Library Volunteers and through the Parish Council responsible along with colleagues for the setting up of these now independent organisations.
Since 2019 I have been a member of the Governance Committee and Planning & Infrastructure (P&I) Committee and as its Chair since 2022 trying to lessen the impact of all the major developments taking place now and in the future. As a member of P&I we are also responsible for all matters relating to flooding and highways throughout the Parish.
In addition to the work on these two committees I represent the Parish on matters relating to the Conservation Area and The South Downs National Park.
What made you become a Councillor
After conversations with friends, I was persuaded to become a Councillor in 2009. Due to personal and medical reasons I had to retire in 2016. However, as the situation has greatly improved, I realised just how much I missed serving the Angmering Community, so at the 2019 election I decided to stand again and was duly elected – thank you residents of Angmering.
What do you hope to achieve during your time as a Councillor?
More openness with the Residents of Angmering. A greater involvement with the two thirds of the Parish within the South Downs National Park and with its Authority. Continue to work on the flooding aspects of the village and continue to fight to reduce the impact the developments are having on the Community.
What are your other Interests?
Trustee of the Angmering Community Centre, Member of the Arun District Conservation Area Advisory Panel, Member of the University of the Third Age (U3A). To help me relax I enjoy painting landscapes in watercolour, pastel, and acrylic. I have until Covid taught the very basics of painting to those who wished to take up painting as a hobby once they retired.
Please feel free to email Sylvia at the following address - sylvia.verrinder@angmering-pc.gov.uk
Sylvia represents Angmering Village Ward
