Our staff

Town Clerk – Mr Matthew Brown. To contact the Town Clerk email townclerk@driffieldtowncouncil.gov.uk

Deputy Clerk – Mrs Paula Danby. To contact the deputy email deputytc@driffieldtowncouncil.gov.uk

Town Development Officer – Michelle Flake. To contact the TDO email tdo@driffieldtowncouncil.gov.uk

Tidy Team – Mr Andy Wilson, Mr Robert Flake, Mr David Dale and Mr Paul Hughes.

If you need to contact the Tidy Team please email townclerk@driffieldtowncouncil.gov.uk

Wards

If you would like to find out which ward you live in, please follow the link below.

Ward boundaries

Cllr Ashley Newall (Mayor)

Ward: South West Ward – Uncontested May 2023

Committees: Events and Markets, Environment and Planning, Property and Asset, Appeals

DTC Delegate: ERNLLCA

Born in Manchester, I have lived in both the North and South of the country during my adult life. Since the summer of 2020, I have been very proud to call Driffield my home. With a diverse background that includes running market stalls in Cheshire and across Cambridgeshire, as well as honing my skills in graphic design and web development, I bring a wealth of experience to the table. I chose to settle in Driffield due to my love for its tranquil rural atmosphere and my deep passion for the environment and wildlife. In my spare time, I enjoy taking walks in the countryside, playing board games, and actively contributing to the community wherever I can.

Email: Contact Town Clerk

Cllr Tom Watson (Deputy Mayor)

Ward: North Ward – Uncontested May 2023

Committees: Events and Markets, Environment and Planning

DTC Delegate: None

I have lived in Driffield and the surrounding villages all my life. My family live here, and the Watson side of the family has farmed in the area for generations. This is my home, and I genuinely care about making it an even better place to live, work and visit.

I joined Driffield Town Council in 2017 because I wanted to give something back to the town that has given so much to me. Since then, I have had the privilege of serving on a number of committees and currently serve as Deputy Mayor. I enjoy working with residents, community groups and fellow councillors to help turn good ideas into reality.

One of my main interests is helping Driffield evolve while protecting what makes it unique. I believe we should be investing in projects that improve people’s quality of life, support local businesses and create opportunities for future generations.

As a member of the Town Centre Steering Group, I work alongside local organisations, businesses and volunteers to promote our town centre, support local events and encourage people to shop locally. A thriving high street doesn’t happen by accident, and I believe the council has an important role in helping businesses and community groups succeed.

I’m also passionate about making better use of the buildings and spaces we already have. Since the Town Council purchased the former Post Office, I have been a strong supporter of transforming it into an arts and community venue. I believe it has the potential to become a real cultural hub for Driffield, bringing people together while giving new life to an important town centre building.

Protecting and enhancing our green spaces is another cause close to my heart. Whether that’s supporting biodiversity, encouraging sustainable transport or helping develop new community green spaces, I believe we have a responsibility to leave Driffield in a better condition than we found it. More recently, I’ve been involved in proposals to create a community nature park that would provide a lasting space for wildlife, recreation and education.

Outside of the council, I own Kinship, a coffee shop on Middle Street South, where I’m fortunate to meet people from all walks of life every day. Running a local business has given me a real appreciation of both the opportunities and challenges facing our town, and it reinforces my belief that strong communities are built by people supporting one another.

Driffield has a wonderful community spirit, and that’s what keeps me motivated. I want to continue helping the town grow in a thoughtful way, preserving its character while embracing new ideas that make it an even better place for everyone.

Email: Contact Town Clerk

Cllr Carla Bekker

Ward: West Ward – Co-opted June 2023

Committees: Events and Markets, Environment and Planning, Personnel, Property and Asset

DTC Delegate: None

I have lived in Driffield for most of my life, attending Driffield School and owning a business in Driffield. I am very passionate about Driffield and could not imagine living elsewhere.

I am on the committee for the Driffield and Wolds Create community and assist in many of the events that happen throughout the year.

Email: Contact Town Clerk

Cllr Mark Blakeston

Ward: South West Ward – Uncontested May 2023

Committees: None

DTC Delegate: YCCRP

Trustee: The Wold Rangers Way, Driffield Men In Sheds, Humberside Scouts, The G.B. Dunning Charity

Member: Driffield Agricultural Society

Patron: Yorkshire Wolds Railway

ERYC Ward Councillor: Representing Driffield & Rural Ward

With my roots in Driffield and the Wolds, I care about Driffield and always strive to promote the Town and the Wolds area in everything I do. I take my role on Driffield Town Council seriously because I’ve come to know, first hand, that through commitment and involvement in various committees and working groups, positive progress can be made.

Email: Contact Town Clerk

Cllr Spencer Fletcher

Ward: West Ward – Co-opted June 2023

Committees: Events and Markets, Property and Asset, Appeals

DTC Delegate: None

Email: Contact Town Clerk

Cllr Daniel Goodlad

Ward: West Ward – Co-opted December 2024

Committees: Personnel, Environment and Planning

DTC Delegate: None

Hi, my name is Daniel Goodlad. I was born and raised in Bridlington, where I finished school and trained to be an electrician. After a few years working as a qualified electrician, I decided to spend some time travelling around Africa, Asia and Australasia. Whilst travelling, I successfully applied to study accounting and finance at Newcastle University. After gaining a first-class degree, I moved to Worcester and started a graduate scheme in finance with Npower. After spending 5 years working in various roles for Npower, including a year working and living in Germany, I moved back to Yorkshire (Ackworth in West Yorkshire) and took a role working in the NHS as a senior finance manager. After getting married in 2017, my wife Laura and I bought Wold View Farm, which was pretty much derelict, with the view to renovating the farmhouse to live in and using the land and outbuildings to start our own business. After spending some time living in a caravan on site, we moved into Wold View Farm and started work on converting a large barn into a wedding venue and building some log cabins in the woodland that surrounds our house. Since 2022, Laura and I have run the business full time.

I have 3 young children, Harriet who (at the time of writing) is 6, William who is 5 and Thomas who is 2. Laura and I thoroughly enjoy spending time outside walking, visiting local restaurants/cafes for food and enjoying a drink or two in some of the local pubs. I thoroughly enjoy living in this area, and it gives me an enormous sense of pride when I see how well the local scenery is kept by the council, farmers and other local people. The majority of residents in this area seem to have a real sense of pride in where they live. I also really like the proactive schemes, such as the umbrella plaza, outdoor seating areas, etc., that make Driffield town centre an inviting and vibrant place to be. I believe that more of these types of schemes will help to continue to drive the town forward and grow the local economy.

I have a keen interest in building and renovating things, improving things and finding solutions to problems and believe that my experience and skillset would be of value and hopefully help to deliver the continued success of the town of Driffield.

Email: Contact Town Clerk

Cllr Caroline Harrison

Ward: South West Ward – South West Ward – Co-opted April 2026

Committees: Property and Asset

DTC Delegate: Driffield Youth Action

Having raised our family in Wansford, where I served on the Parish Council and as a Nafferton Feoffees Trustee, I moved to Driffield in 2022. After 40+ years with ERYC in the Youth and Family Services sector, I have a particular interest in working within a community which caters for our young people of today, fulfilling their needs in these challenging times and ensuring the town thrives at all levels, now and in the future.

Email: Contact Town Clerk

Cllr Gillian Helliwell

Ward: North Ward – Co-opted December 2024

Committees: Events and Markets, Appeals

DTC Delegate: Driffield Youth Action

Email: Contact Town Clerk

Cllr Matt Rogers

Ward: North Ward – Uncontested May 2023

Committees: None

DTC Delegate: None

Trustee: Driffield Millennium Green Trust

Originating from the East Riding of Yorkshire (Bridlington), I grew up in rural North Yorkshire in Ryedale, so I have very firm roots within the countryside, with strong agricultural connections. I moved to Driffield with my job, having worked in education for a number of years. I run a small holding on the edge of Driffield, which helps keep my hand in with my passion for agriculture and the countryside.

Being part of Driffield Town Council means a great deal to me, because I feel that being part of the decision-making for this great town is an important role and should not be taken lightly. Our town needs people to help guide and push forward, develop and create a Driffield ready to evolve for the next generation.

Town councillors do their best for this town, and people will agree or disagree with our policies and the decisions which are being made, but this is all part of the fun. Local governance does not have to be dull, and I appeal to people of all ages, from all walks of life, to get involved and become part of Driffield Town Council when positions become available.

Email: Contact Town Clerk

Cllr Paul Rounding

Ward: South West Ward – Uncontested May 2023

Committees: Personnel, Property and Asset

DTC Delegate: Community Centre Management Committee

Trustee: Driffield Community Centre

Email: Contact Town Clerk

Cllr Ben Smith

Ward: South West Ward – Co-opted July 2023

Committees: Environment and Planning, Property and Asset

DTC Delegate: None

I have lived in the East Riding of Yorkshire throughout my life, originally living in Nafferton before moving to Driffield two years ago. I spent my school days at Driffield Secondary School and Driffield Sixth Form, before moving on to study a Bachelor’s Degree in Geography at the University of Hull, and continuing my studies there to obtain a Master’s Degree in Renewable Energy.

I am passionate about the environment, the transition to net zero, and the local area. I am committed to representing the local community and enjoy sitting as a Councillor in the town.

Email: Contact Town Clerk

Cllr Fred Smith

Ward: North Ward – Uncontested May 2023

Committees: Personnel, Environment and Planning, Property and Asset

DTC Delegate: ERNLLCA, Driffield Neighbourhood Health Partnership

We moved here from Willerby, where I was a Parish councillor for many years and a ward councillor for a short time.

I like to be involved in the area I live in. Since moving here 2 years ago, I have been successfully co-opted onto the Driffield town council. As I am retired, I can give my time to the organised events.

Email: Contact Town Clerk

Cllr Simon Starrett

Ward: South Ward – Uncontested May 2023

Committees: None

DTC Delegate: None

Having called Driffield my home since 2003, I am proud to represent the South Ward on Driffield Council. It’s great that the town offers so much to young and old, and I feel there is more we can do. Driffield has a great sporting heritage, which is something I like to support personally, and I will do all I can to support it through the council.

Email: Contact Town Clerk

Cllr Marie Strath

Ward: West Ward – Co-opted June 2023

Committees: Events and Markets

DTC Delegate: None

I was born in Manchester and worked in education for over forty years. I taught in Salford, different places abroad and in the south of England. Since retiring, I have tried to make myself useful to my local community by taking on a variety of voluntary roles.

I enjoy meeting people and have found Driffield to be a really friendly, vibrant community. A community It is my pleasure to serve and be a part of.

Email: Contact Town Clerk

Cllr William Strath

Ward: West Ward – Co-opted June 2023

Committees: Events and Markets

DTC Delegate: None

Born in Salford, I began teaching in Secondary Education in 1971. Over a 47-year career, I worked in schools at all levels and stages of education in England, Africa and the Middle East. Following my final retirement, I try to involve myself in my local community by volunteering and fundraising for local causes. Driffield is a town I am pleased to have settled in and hope to serve and support the community in its continuing needs and further development.

Email: Contact Town Clerk