Name:
Janet Reilly
Which ward do you represent?
West Ward
Any committee roles?
I’d like to join the HR Committee and the RAE committees
Tell us a little bit about yourself (100 words max):
I’ve lived in Shepton Mallet with my husband since 2003. My three children grew up here and attended Doulting Primary School, Whitstone Academy and successfully moved onto Strode College and then University/work – during that time I was a PTA member and also secretary of the Air Cadets in Shepton.
I have a particular interest in equality, diversity and wellbeing – drawn from my work as Director of People & Culture for a global not-for-profit organisation where I am also their Company Secretary. I am a Trustee for an international children’s charity and have previous board experience with a housing association.
What motivated you to become a councillor?
I know that diversity and wellbeing is crucial for our community. Diversity brings together individuals from different backgrounds, cultures and perspectives and when people from various walks of life interact and engage with each other, it promotes a sense of belonging and wellbeing This creates stronger community bonds and contributes to economic growth. In early 2023, I set up a petition in relation to the closure of the Leisure Centre, knowing that the loss of this facility would be detrimental to the community as it provides a common thread that brings us together. That petition gained over 1k signatures, a great start but as a Town Councillor, I wanted to have greater influence to ensure that our Town has proper facilities.
What do you enjoy most about the role?
I’ve only just started!
What’s the most frequent issue you deal with in your ward?
I’ve only just started!
Do you have any advice for anyone thinking about becoming a councillor?
Not yet
How can people contact you if they have an issue to raise?