The Chair – Clare Loops
Clare has lived in Charlton for over 25 years, working and raising a family here, including serving as governor at her children’s primary school. She is a member of the Charlton Society and Charlton Central Residents’ Association.
Clare is a trained architect working as a strategic planner for local councils since 2004, including several years for Greenwich. She currently leads a planning policy team in a neighbouring borough, specialising in sustainabiltiy, heritage and nature conservation.
Passionate about the Charlton community and area, Clare stood for election as a Charlton ward councillor in the local council elections in 2018, and again in 2022, as a Green Party candidate. Although not successful, from this experience she developed and maintains strong friendships with other Charlton residents and this led to her involvement in creating a neighbourhood forum for the area.
Vice Chair – Paul Chapman
Paul doesn’t remember exactly how long he has been living in SE7, but Charlton were in the Premiership for a good few seasons after he arrived so it’s over 20 years. In that time Paul has added two children to the local population (with help from his wife) and Charlton have slid down the football league table.
An IT Manager by day, Paul works for an established Charity in Central London. You’d think this would give Paul an abundance of technical skills with which he could assist the Forum, but you’d be surprised.
Paul has long been passionate about local community involvement. Activities over the years include attempts to ‘Save the White Swan’ and being a founder member of the Charlton and Woolwich Free Film Festival. Paul stood as a Lib Dem candidate in the 2010 Charlton Ward local elections, garnering nearly as many votes as he has fingers and toes.
Secretary – Brenda Taggart
Brenda’s background is in education having been a teacher, leader and university academic/researcher. She has lived in Charlton since 1986 and is proud to be an active member of the Charlton community.
As a long serving member of Charlton Residents’ Association (CCRA see https://www.charltonresidents.net) she became interested in planning through joining their Planning Action Group.
Brenda has been a part of ‘Charlton Together’ since its inception and fully supports the actions it has taken to make Charlton a thriving and vibrant area to live and work in. Brenda believes Charlton has fantastic community spirit and is a place where good development is embraced with a mind to preserving important cultural and historic heritage.
Treasurer – Helen Brown
Helen, a resident of Charlton for over 38 years, is originally from Yorkshire.
Helen is a Landscape Architect, textile designer, and community and environmental activist.
Helen sees establishing the Neighbourhood Forum as an important step on the road for the Charlton community to build and write its own neighbourhood plan. Helen believes this will give the community a stronger influence over future decisions and plans for the locality.
