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Meet the Team

Angela Oakes

Cost of Living Crisis Project Officer

Angela has made North Wales her home for the past 25 years, where she lives with her husband and two teenage children. Angela was originally born and raised in Dudley in the West Midlands.

As a qualified broadcast journalist, Angela worked in media before taking up the position of Tenant Participation Officer at Salisbury District Council where she thrived on the challenge of empowering tenants to tackle housing related issues.

For the past 20 years working alongside her husband, she has gained a wealth of knowledge in corporate sales and the private sector as the owners of a successful family portrait business.

Angela has always been keen to support local groups and charities and served as a school governor at her children’s primary school for many years.

Angela has recently joined Rhyd-y-Foel and Llanddulas Community Council as a Community Councillor where she continues help tackle issues affecting residents in the community.

Vanessa Owens

Cost of Living Crisis Project Support Officer

Vanessa joined the Cost-of-Living Crisis Project team in June 2024.

Vanessa has lived in Aberporth for the majority of her life, raising her family in this picturesque coastal village.

With a strong foundation in business and finance, Vanessa’s career began at Lloyds Bank where she worked for 12 years.

She has over 25 years of experience working with Community and Town Councils; Vanessa has served as the Clerk to Newcastle Emlyn Town Council and is currently the Clerk to Aberporth Community Council. Working as a clerk provides valuable experience in local government operations, administration, and public service; the role offers a unique opportunity to make a positive impact on the local community.

Vanessa’s versatile career also includes roles such as WRVS Food Services Manager and Credit Union Operations Manager, these varied experiences have provided her the ability to manage diverse responsibilities and support her community effectively.

In her spare time, Vanessa is passionate about teaching swimming and surf lifesaving, sharing her skills and fostering a love for the water in others.

Associate Consultants

Associate Consultants

Human Resources and Employment Law

Consultants: Paul Egan, Brian Kultschar and Jonathan Lazenby 

  • Review of existing HR policy infrastructure and design of bespoke employment policies for Councils 
  • Specific advice and support in relation to all HR matters including discipline, grievance, redundancy and sickness absence issues 
  • Acting as a professional advisor to Council Appeals Panels 
  • Providing external investigation of serious disciplinary cases 
  • Design of settlement agreements in appropriate cases 
  • Providing mediation services to Councils in dispute with an employee 
  • Assistance in the recruitment and selection of personnel including preparation of job descriptions, employee specifications and design of assessment tests 
  • Assistance in the preparation for employment tribunals 
  • Investigation of complaints 
  • Design and delivery of bespoke training courses 

Property Management (Service to North Wales Councils only) 

Consultant:  Dr Ian Gardner PhD, MSc, BA (Hons), FCIH, FCMI, FRSA  

  • Property Maintenance and Facilities Management 
  • Project Management and Evaluation 
  • Value for money, cost saving and procurement 
  • Business Continuity Planning 
  • Environment Strategy, Policy and Assessment 

Health, Safety and Welfare

Consultant – Jeff Berriman CMIOSH Cert. Ed. Dip. I.I.M. Dip. R.S.A

  • Review of existing policy infrastructure and design of bespoke policies and procedures 
  • Undertaking risk assessments and providing procedures to support findings 
  • All aspects of advice on health, safety and welfare 
  • Provision of bespoke training 

Health & Safety 

  • Do you have a written health and safety policy? 
  • Do you have written fire risk assessments for your premises? 
  • Are you compliant with the Fire Regulatory Reform Act? 
  • Are staff trained and aware of their health and safety responsibilities? 
  • Have you undertaken risk assessments covering your activities? 

Our consultant is able to assist with all of these matters and can advise councils in relation to all of their responsibilities relating to health and safety. 

Community Planning and Asset Transfers 

Consultants – Chris Ashman and Gareth Kiddie 

  • Asset Transfers 
  • Development of community plans 
  • Devolution of Services 
  • Development of Business Plans 

Training Associates

Training Associates

Below is a list of our Training Associates:

  • Cath Craven
  • Tina Earley
  • Paul Egan
  • Owain Enoch
  • Tony Graham
  • Helena Fox
  • Sharron Jones
  • Cathy Kennedy
  • Jonathan Lazenby
  • Gareth Thomas