Councillors

Preston Brook Parish Council has eight Parish Councillors each of whom is elected for a term of up to four years by the electors of the Parish. The results of the last election, for the current term (2024-2028), can be accessed here. The term of office prior (2020-2024), where the election was delayed until 2021 due to Covid-19, can be accessed here. A statutory annual meeting is held in May at which the Chairman and Vice Chairman of Council are elected by the Council members at the start of the civic year which runs from May to April.

Cllr Alan Price - Chairman

Alan Price is Peninsula’s Chief Operations Officer and CEO of BrightHR, the most popular HR software and support service for SMEs in the UK.

At Peninsula, Alan supervises more than 100,000 monthly client interactions. And, at BrightHR, he oversees the support that the company offers SMEs across the UK, Ireland and Canada. But his overall responsibility is making sure clients of the entire Peninsula Group enjoy the same market-leading quality of advice that the group is renowned for.

His 18 years in employee relations have led to widespread recognition. This includes a Chartered Fellowship of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and a Fellowship of the Royal Society of Arts—having demonstrated a significant contribution to business and society.

Alan was also one of the youngest judicial appointments to Her Majesty’s Employment Tribunal Service, a position he still holds.

His expertise means businesses such as banking giants Lloyds and Santander often seek out his advice. He regularly provides comment to media like the Daily Telegraph, the Sunday Times and Sky News.

In 2019, employee reward company Perkbox named Alan as their HR Hero of the year—honouring his outstanding work, introduction of innovative methods, and challenging of the status quo in the sector.

In addition to his work with Peninsula Group, Alan supports the development of future business leaders as an Honorary Industry Fellow at the University of Salford. He also supports various charities, including as an Ambassador for the North West Air Ambulance Charity.

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Cllr Jay Walton - Vice Chairman

Cllr Jay Walton has an interest in preserving heritage and historic buildings within the parish, protecting the surrounding green space, and improving general appearances.

Jay is also interested in matters of traffic calming and road safety with fellow councillors. Jay is a keen cyclist and runner on the roads around and beyond the parish, welcoming views from all local residents on matters that they think Preston Brook Parish Council can help with.

Cllr Mike Marlow

Mike has lived in Bridgewater Grange, Preston Brook for over 9 years. He joined Preston Brook Parish Council in 2021 as a Councillor to serve and represent the residents of the local community.

Up until his retirement three years ago, Mike enjoyed a successful career in sales, marketing and management.

Mike believes passionately in the principles of 'Equality and Diversity' and that everyone regardless of their Gender, Sexual orientation, Religion, Ethnicity or Disability should have the opportunity to achieve their full potential.

Mike has a strong sense of community he is Chair of a Cheshire-based LGTB support group. He is also a member of two Cheshire choirs which support local charities through fund raising performances.

Cllr Peter Bolton

Bio coming soon...

Cllr Cathy Murray

I have lived in Preston Brook for over 25 years and, during this time, have seen it grow from a quiet, rural village into a more diverse and dynamic community. The introduction of new housing estates has brought a younger population, and alongside other commercial development, the village has evolved considerably.

My professional background spans over 30 years in education, where I held various teaching roles, ultimately retiring as a Deputy Headteacher in Halton. My experience in education has equipped me with strong leadership, communication, and organisational skills. I’ve managed teams, worked through challenging circumstances, and built strategies for improvement - all while maintaining a people-focused approach. These skills are highly transferable to the role of supporting councils and helping them grow in both strength and capability.

As a resident, parent to four children, and grandparent to eleven, I’ve experienced firsthand the importance of vibrant, engaged communities. My passion for current affairs, along with my love for traveling and meeting new people, drives my enthusiasm to play an active role in helping Preston Brook, and the wider Cheshire county, thrive.

Now retired, I am eager to dedicate my time to serving the local community. I was delighted to join the Parish Council and I am keen to contribute further by working alongside local groups, supporting them in addressing challenges, fostering growth, and ensuring effective governance. As the region continues to change and grow, I believe that my experience, dedication to public service, and passion for community engagement make me well-suited to serving to protect and enhance our locale.

I am also particularly keen to increase the representation of women in local government. Underrepresentation limits the diversity of perspectives essential for making well-rounded decisions that benefit the entire community, and risks missing out on diverse perspectives that are crucial to understanding and addressing the needs of all members of our communities. Women contribute significantly to local initiatives, from managing community projects to leading in areas like education, healthcare, and social welfare. Without their voices at the decision-making level, we run the risk of overlooking key issues that affect families, young people, and underrepresented groups. Addressing this imbalance is crucial to ensuring our governance is inclusive and responsive to the needs of all residents, fostering a more equitable and effective decision-making process.

Cllr Kerry Dainty

Bio coming soon...

Cllr Lauren Sanders

Lauren was co-opted onto the Parish Council in November 2020 and subsequently elected as Chairperson in May 2021 and 2022. As a resident, Cllr Sanders has the ambition to improve the community's well-being through events whilst encouraging more communication between the community and the council. Cllr Sanders is a passionate individual for representing groups such as those in vulnerable groups and has a keen interest in improving the quality of lives through health and wellbeing.

Cllr Sanders is a disabled resident in the community and regularly can be seen in the village speaking with neighbours and other residents about any assistance they may need. Although a Project Manager by day and Fitness Coach in more unsociable hours, Cllr Sanders wants to become a strong voice for residents and provide opportunities in the future using the village amenities for collaborations and social events.