Board Membership
The Newark Town Board is currently accepting expressions of interests for membership. For more information, please read this Newark Town Board New Member Advertisement.
If you are interested in applying, please download and complete this Expression of Interest Form – Newark Town Board Membership and return to newarktownboard@newark-sherwooddc.gov.uk by 5pm 25th September 2026.
The Newark Town Board consists of a voting Chair, Vice Chair and Members from various sectors and local organisations, representing the local community of Newark, alongside regular non-voting advisors. The list of current Members can be viewed here: Membership List – September 2026
Further details regarding the Chair and Vice-Chair are available below.
The Newark Town Board meets on a minimum of a quarterly basis, and is overseen by Newark and Sherwood District Council as the local Accountable Body for the Local Regeneration Fund and Pride in Place Programme. The Board’s Local Assurance Framework can be viewed through the link below.
Chair Penny Taylor MBE
Penny Taylor MBE, Head of Newark College campuses at The Lincoln College Group, has more than 30 years of experience in education, including youth organisations and prison education programmes. With a focus on education, training, and curriculum development leading to recent new programmes at Newark College and the Air and Space Institute (ASI) an additional 375 students are accommodated annually. Honoured with an MBE for services to education, Penny pioneers collaborations with local communities and organisations, facilitating student skill development through projects with charities and businesses. Penny supports local town centre events, Chairs the Newark Town Centre Partnership and leads activities to help individuals combat social isolation. A keen supporter of youth activities, Penny has also led a Brownie group for over 20 years, inspiring young people to pursue their goals.
As Chair, Penny leads and facilitates the board with individual voting rights, provides strategic direction, and is responsible for all duties as set out within the Local Assurance Framework and the UK Government’s PiPP prospectus.
Vice Chair Tony Aspbury
Tony Aspbury is a Director of Aspbury Planning Limited, Spatial Planning and Development Consultants, a local practice he founded in 1983. In the past, Tony has held positions as the President of the Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Chairman of the Environment Committee of the Nottinghamshire Chamber, and the Chairman of Newark Civic Trust and Board Member of Nottingham Development Enterprise. Tony is currently one of the representatives of the private sector on the Nottingham Express Transit (Tram) Partnership. He is currently a member of the Executive Committee of the Newark and Nottinghamshire Agricultural Society and Chairman of the Development Sub Committee.
As Vice Chair, Tony has individual voting rights alongside the Chair and Members and may deputise in full for the Chair, where agreed by the Chair or Accountable Body.
TOWN INVESTMENT PLAN
PROJECTS
Several key priority projects were identified using the £25m awarded in 2020 through the Local Regeneration Fund. From working with the YMCA on their Community Activity Village, a town wide cycle hire scheme, Newark Cultural Heart; a programme of enhanced events and activity in the town centre, to working with Lincoln College Group on an Air and Space Institute (ASI), the projects showcase the ambition and cohesive vision for the town as set out in the Town Investment Plan. Follow the links to find out more.
Board MEMBERS
The Board includes of representatives from the local business and education sectors, relevant national government organisations and/or arm’s length bodies, local representative organisations and community groups; local authorities and relevant parish councils; and the local MP.
Membership will be reviewed every year. You can request a copy of the board members’ register of interest by emailing
Helen.brandham@newark-sherwooddc.gov.uk.