Meet Bexhill teen councillor, Connor Winter, 18, one of the youngest councillors in England

One of the youngest councillors in the country has started carrying out his work for Bexhill’s first town council since 1974.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Cllr Connor Winter, aged just 18, was elected as an independent local councillor for St Mark’s ward in May.

St Mark’s ward covers Little Common, Cooden and Norman’s Bay.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Cllr Winter shares local governance of the ward with councillor Tim Fenner.

Connor Winter, one of the youngest councillors in England, who represents St Mark’s ward on Bexhill's new town council SUS-210726-110557001Connor Winter, one of the youngest councillors in England, who represents St Mark’s ward on Bexhill's new town council SUS-210726-110557001
Connor Winter, one of the youngest councillors in England, who represents St Mark’s ward on Bexhill's new town council SUS-210726-110557001

The two were among 18 new councillors elected on to Bexhill’s first town council for nearly 50 years.

There are around 100,000 councillors on parish and town councils and nearly 18,000 on principal councils. According to the Local Government Association, the average age of a councillor on a principal council, such as a district or county council, is currently 59.

Data from the National Association of Local Councils shows the average age of parish and town councillors is fractionally higher, at 61, some 43 years older than Cllr Winter.

Just 11 per cent of councillors are aged under 45.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Informal research carried out by Bexhill Town Council suggests Cllr Winter is the second youngest councillor in England.

Cllr Winter has worked throughout the Covid-19 pandemic on the front line as a key worker, in his full-time role in the bakery of a supermarket.

He said: “I was born and bred in Bexhill. I have been keen to serve my community for a long time, and I was inspired to stand in this election by a former friend and much-respected councillor who sadly passed away a few years ago.

“As we emerge from the pandemic, I want to get things done for the residents of St Mark’s, and for Bexhill more widely. I want to help to encourage businesses back to the area and to rejuvenate the local environment. And I’m already enjoying working with a variety of different people and listening to and helping residents with their concerns.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Young people are underrepresented in local democracy. It can be hard being a young person in politics. Older people might think they know better than you and assume that you have not had enough life experience to do the job, but I aim to bring a fresh and important perspective to the role.

“The best councils are those that are truly representative of their local communities. I’d encourage young people to stand up and be counted, and to have their say on how their communities are managed. We have a lot of energy and new ideas to bring to the table.”

Cllr Sue Baxter, chairman of the National Association of Local Councils, said: “Local (parish and town) councils play an important role in building strong communities and work hard to engage with and reflect the diversity of their areas.

“However, our research into the 2019 local council elections showed that young councillors are in a minority, with 70 per cent of councillors aged between 55 and 75.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“That is why through our Make A Change campaign, NALC is working with local councils and county associations to turn these statistics around so our most local councils feature young councillors who want to contribute to their communities and have their opinions considered on matters that affect them and other young people.

“Local councils should be listening to young people in their areas and representing their interests, strengthening not only local democracy by involving the future electorate but also the opportunity that a young person may one day step up to become a councillor.

“I’m thrilled that Cllr Winter has been elected to serve the community and hope he and other young councillors across the country will in turn inspire more young people to get involved in their community including as parish and town councillors.”