Borough Councillor for Gensing Ward (with Cllr Andrew Cartwright)
Telephone: 01424 717390
Email: kim.forward@hastingsandryelabour.org.uk
Kim discussing a resident's concerns in Dane Road
Kim has lived, worked, and brought up her children in Hastings and St Leonards-on-sea for the last thirty years. She taught at local primary schools for over twenty years, was Chair of Governors at Filsham Valley School and is now a member of the St Leonards Academy Local Advisory Group. She is a trustee of Education Futures which aims to continue the work of the Excellence Cluster.
Kim is a volunteer director of Southwater Area Community Centre in Gensing ward which provides a range of activities for residents of St Leonards.She has a strong commitment to equalities for women and is a leading member of the Women’s Group in Hastings and Rye Constituency Labour Party where she encourages women to make their voice heard and to become involved in local politics.
Kim writes:
My work and life experience, including being a lone parent for several years and caring for my son while he recovered from a debilitating illness, have helped me understand the concerns of families, the needs of local children and the particular issues faced by women. I believe that society should be organised for the benefit of the many, not mainly for the profit of a small elite.
Kim with Jeremy Birch and Sarah Owen at the manifesto launch
Kim has helped many residents with individual casework and has held monthly surgeries. She lives just outside the ward boundary, 5 minutes walk from Bohemia.
As mayor (2010-2012), Kim has supported many local charities, businesses and organisations and is always available to promote the interests of the borough. Kim has worked to reduce costs and to ensure value for money. The result is a modern mayoralty relevant for today and with more substance and less ceremony. Cllr Andrew Cartwright – also a borough councillor in Gensing ward – writes “Kim and I work together as a team to cover all issues. I am proud to have been able to work with someone who puts the needs of the people of our town before her previous position as mayor.”
Kim writes:
Kim with Cllr Andrew Cartwright in Woodland Vale Road.
It was an honour to be the mayor between 2010 and 2012 and I have been fortunate to meet residents from all sections of our community. I have developed good relationships with many local groups from cultural organisations to senior business representatives. These include Hastings Inter-Cultural Organisation, the Seniors’ Forum, 1066 Enterprise / Let’s Do Business, the Disability Forum, Women’s Voice, Activ8, Xtrax, the Rainbow Alliance and the Youth Council. I have spoken at many events such as International Women’s Day, Remembrance Day, the launch of Black History Month, the Hastings Chinese Association, Arts Forum events, Beatles Day and Hiroshima Day. My time as mayor ended in May 2012 and I will continue to represent residents in Gensing ward using my experience and the contacts which I have made, to work for the good of the area.
