Kevin Nicholson (politician)

Kevin Nicholson
BEM
Kevin Nicholson formal council photograph
Councillor
Darlington Borough Council
Assumed office
7 May 2015
Chairman
Firthmoor & District Community Association
In office
23 July 2008 – 5 October 2016
Member of Youth Parliament
for Darlington
In office
11 February 2005 – 10 February 2006
Personal details
Born Darlington, England, UK
Nationality British
Website www.kevinnicholson.co.uk

Kevin Nicholson BEM is a British politician, currently serving as a Councillor on Darlington Borough Council,[1] and the former chairman of Firthmoor & District Community Association based in the Firthmoor area of Darlington.[2]

Community Work

Kevin Nicholson hands out Christmas hampers to Firthmoor over 50's members with Sainsburys Darlington store manager James Dale

In March 2008, Nicholson was appointed a trustee of the Firthmoor & District Community Association, and was elected chairman at the charity's Annual General Meeting (AGM) in July of that year, becoming Darlington's youngest community leader.[3] After consultation with local residents, Nicholson made a series of modernising changes at the association, including reverting to the community centre's former name of Firthmoor Community Centre.[4][5][6]

Despite facing financial difficulties as a result of a cut in council funding,[7] Nicholson oversaw other improvements to the community centre itself, including a refurbishment of the cafe,[8] and the installation of solar panels on the roof of the building.[9] As chairman he also launched a community sponsorship campaign to raise funds for the association.[10]

Nicholson stepped down as Chairman of the community association in October 2016.[2]

Political career

In 2005, Nicholson was elected to the UK Youth Parliament as a Member of Youth Parliament representing young people in Darlington.[11] Nicholson supported Darlington Borough Council's plans to merge two secondary schools into a £25m academy.[12] In 2006, he was awarded Darlington's first Young Citizen of the Year Award for outstanding services to the community.[13]

On the 7 January 2015, Nicholson announced his intention to stand as an independent candidate in the 2015 Darlington Borough Council elections.[14] He was elected with 1,142 votes, taking 45% of the vote, the largest vote share in that ward.[1][15]

Honours

Kevin Nicholson pictured with the British Empire Medal

In 2014, Nicholson became one of the youngest people in the country to be awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) in the 2014 New Years Honours,[16] awarded for services to the community, in particular for voluntary work helping to revamp the Firthmoor Community Centre in Darlington.[17] Nicholson was presented with the medal by the Lord Lieutenant of County Durham, Sue Snowdon, on behalf of Queen Elizabeth II, at a ceremony at Firthmoor Community Centre.[18]

References

  1. 1 2 Walker, Andy (8 May 2015). "UPDATED FULL RESULTS: Two former mayors lose seats as Labour keeps control of Darlington Borough Council". The Northern Echo.
  2. 1 2 Copeland, Alexa (11 October 2016). "End of an era for Darlington community association chairman". The Northern Echo.
  3. ↑ "Kevin becomes town's youngest charity chairman". The Northern Echo. 26 July 2008. Retrieved 15 June 2014.
  4. ↑ "Community centre changes name". The Northern Echo. 6 May 2009.
  5. ↑ "Community group goes digital". The Northern Echo. 29 March 2009.
  6. ↑ "Feedback helps to shape plans". The Northern Echo. 14 June 2011.
  7. ↑ "Community centres face cuts". The Northern Echo. 13 February 2012. Retrieved 30 June 2014.
  8. ↑ "Darlington community centre café officially opened following £26,000 revamp". The Northern Echo. 9 August 2013. Retrieved 30 June 2014.
  9. ↑ "Green solution to rising power bills". The Northern Echo. 22 November 2011. Retrieved 15 June 2014.
  10. ↑ "Centre appeals for local sponsors". The Northern Echo. 24 June 2011.
  11. ↑ "Kevin sets out his manifesto". The Northern Echo. 11 February 2005. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 15 June 2014.
  12. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 8 July 2014.
  13. ↑ "Town's finest are honoured for dedication at ceremony". The Northern Echo. 11 March 2006. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 15 June 2014.
  14. ↑ Copeland, Alexa (7 January 2015). "Community centre chairman to stand in election". The Northern Echo.
  15. ↑ "Elections 2015". Darlington Borough Council.
  16. ↑ "Eric Pickles congratulates New Year's Honours 2014 recipients – Press releases". GOV.UK. 30 December 2013. Retrieved 15 June 2014.
  17. ↑ "Community centre champion awarded BEM". The Northern Echo. 30 December 2013. Retrieved 15 June 2014.
  18. ↑ Harris, Paul (29 April 2014). "Agoraphobic OAP leaves her home for the first time in almost 50 years". The Daily Mail.
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