Councillor Ellie Chowns

Title: Group Leader of The Green Party; Chairperson Connected Communities Scrutiny Committee; Vice-Chairperson Employment Panel
Party: The Green Party
Ward: Bishops Frome and Cradley
Parish: Acton Beauchamp ; Avenbury ; Bishops Frome ; Cradley ; Evesbatch ; Stanford Bishop
More information about this councillor
Contact information
Home address:
16 Canon Frome Court
Canon Frome
Ledbury
Herefordshire
HR8 2TD
Phone: 01531670729
Mobile: 07950714947
Bus. email: ellie.chowns@herefordshire.gov.uk
Committee appointments
- Connected Communities Scrutiny Committee (Chairperson)Herefordshire Council
- Council
- Employment Panel (Vice-Chairperson)Herefordshire Council
- Scrutiny Management BoardHerefordshire Council
Terms of Office
- 23/11/2017 - 06/05/2019
- 07/05/2019 - 09/05/2023
- 10/05/2023 -
Additional Information
I’ve lived in Herefordshire for over 20 years, on a small organic farm at Canon Frome. My sons grew up here, attending local schools and playing for local sports teams.
I spent 20 years working for charities and in higher education, including running health programmes for Christian Aid, co-ordinating a group of MPs in Parliament, tackling fuel poverty in East London, and supporting peace-building in Northern Uganda.
I have a PhD in international development, and I’ve worked at the Universities of Birmingham, Sheffield, and Bath. I am a lecturer in the International Development Department at the University of Birmingham – though I am currently taking unpaid leave from that role in order to focus on politics.
From July 2019 to January 2020 I served as the first ever Green MEP for the West Midlands.
Locally, I’ve been a primary school governor, a volunteer with HomeStart, ECHO Herefordshire, and NYAS; and treasurer of a housing association.
Having previously served as cabinet member for Environment and Economy, I am now the Chairperson of the Connected Communities Committee – a role which involves scrutinising the council’s work on areas broadly related to economic development. This connects with a wide range of topics that have long been close to my heart, including housing, transport, planning and land use, skills development, and job creation. I see my role as being about supporting a thriving, sustainable local economy that creates opportunities for everyone & reduces inequalities. At the same time I’m deeply committed to reducing carbon emissions and protecting nature in our beautiful county.