Meet the Henley-on-Thames Town Councillors
Town and parish councils were established by Act of Parliament in 1894. Henley-on-Thames is one of around 9,000 such local councils in England and our 16 councillors are among some 80,000 citizens serving as elected councillors.
Councillors are democratically elected every four years. Some represent a political party, others are independent of party affiliations. The chairman of a Town Council can also be called the ‘Town Mayor’ . Some are also District or County councillors, they are often referred to as dual or multi-hatted councillors.
To view the Register of Members’ Interests.
The Mayor and Deputy Mayor
tom.buckley@henleytowncouncil.gov.uk Committees:
Ex Officio member: all committees
Outside Bodies Memberships:
- Bled
- Falaise and Leichlingen Twinning Associations
- Henley 60s Club, Henley and District Housing Trust
- Henley Educational Trust
- Henley Royal Regatta (steward)
- Henley Municipal Charities (Trustee)
- NOMAD
- Oxfordshire Association of Local Councils
- Oxfordshire Larger Local Councils Group
- River and Rowing Museum (trustee)
- South Oxfordshire DC CCTV Management Group
Councillor Tom Buckley is serving as the Mayor of Henley-on-Thames for the 2025/26 term. Originally from Belfast, Northern Ireland, Tom worked in Europe and North England before he and his wife, Claire, relocated to Henley in 2017, settling on Greys Road. A retail IT consultant by profession, Tom works from home and enjoys walking his dog, Luna, around the town. His journey into local politics began in 2021 when he became the first independent councillor to be co-opted onto Henley Town Council in many years, following the resignation of Councillor Paula Isaac . He was later elected as a member of the Henley Residents Group in May 2023 . Tom has actively contributed to the Planning and Parking Committees, demonstrating his commitment to addressing local issues such as residents’ parking, road maintenance, and enhancing the town’s dog-friendly environment. As Mayor, Tom is dedicated to fostering community engagement and maintaining Henley’s unique character.
07788 735326 Committees:
As Deputy Mayor, Ian is Ex Officio member of all committees.
Outside Bodies Memberships:
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Henley 60s Club Management
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Henley Allotments Association
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Henley Society
As Deputy Mayor, Ian is Ex Officio member of all committee. Outside Bodies Membership: Henley 60s Club Management, Henley Allotments Association and Henley Society.
Henley North Ward For residents living to the north side (the Marlow side) of the centre of Greys Road and Friday Street
Dave Eggleton
Councillor (Ind)
Gainsborough, Henley-on-Thames
Committees:
Dave is a member of Planning and Town & Community committees.
Outside Bodies Memberships:
Air Training Corps Civilian Committee
Henley Allotments Association
Henley YMCA.
Committees:
Gavin is a member of Planning and Recreation & Amenities committees.
Committees:
Gill is a member of Recreation & Amenities and Town & Community committees.
Outside Bodies Memberships:
Greener Henley
Henley Arts and Crafts Guild
Over 60s Club Management.
Committees:
Rory is a member of Finance Strategy & Management and Town & Community committees.
Outside Bodies Memberships:
River and Rowing Museum (Trustee)
Committees:
Sara is a member of Recreation & Amenities and Town & Community committees.
Committees:
Simon is a member of Finance Strategy & Management and Planning committees.
Stefan Gawrysiak
Councillor (HRG)
Elizabeth Road, Henley-on-Thames
Committees:
Stefan is a member of Finance Strategy & Management and Recreation & Amenities committees.
Outside Bodies Memberships:
Oxfordshire Parish Transport Representative
Oxfordshire South and Vale Citizens Advice Bureau.
Tom Buckley
Councillor (HRG)
Greys Road, Henley-on-Thames
Committees:
Ex Officio member: all committees
Outside Bodies Memberships:
- Bled
- Falaise and Leichlingen Twinning Associations
- Henley 60s Club, Henley and District Housing Trust
- Henley Educational Trust
- Henley Royal Regatta (steward)
- Henley Municipal Charities (Trustee)
- NOMAD
- Oxfordshire Association of Local Councils
- Oxfordshire Larger Local Councils Group
- River and Rowing Museum (trustee)
- South Oxfordshire DC CCTV Management Group
Councillor Tom Buckley is serving as the Mayor of Henley-on-Thames for the 2025/26 term. Originally from Belfast, Northern Ireland, Tom worked in Europe and North England before he and his wife, Claire, relocated to Henley in 2017, settling on Greys Road. A retail IT consultant by profession, Tom works from home and enjoys walking his dog, Luna, around the town. His journey into local politics began in 2021 when he became the first independent councillor to be co-opted onto Henley Town Council in many years, following the resignation of Councillor Paula Isaac . He was later elected as a member of the Henley Residents Group in May 2023 . Tom has actively contributed to the Planning and Parking Committees, demonstrating his commitment to addressing local issues such as residents’ parking, road maintenance, and enhancing the town’s dog-friendly environment. As Mayor, Tom is dedicated to fostering community engagement and maintaining Henley’s unique character.
Henley South Ward For residents living on the south side (the Reading side) of the centre of Greys Road and Friday Street
Committees:
Tony is member of Finance Strategy & Management and Town & Community committees.
Outside Bodies Memberships:
Henley Volunteer Bureau
Committees:
Sarah is a member of Recreation & Amenities and Town & Community committees.
Outside Bodies Memberships:
Henley Falaise/Leichlingen Twinning Association
Committees:
Rob is a member of Finance Strategy & Management and Planning committees.
Outside Bodies Memberships:
Bled Twinning Association
Henley Branch Users Group
Henley Falaise/Leichlingen Twinning Association.
Committees:
Michelle is a member of the Planning committee
Outside Bodies Memberships:
Greener Henley
Henley Educational Trust.
Michelle has lived in Henley for 20 years. She is a Chartered Marketer and works for Leander Club.
She co-founded Keep Henley Active and Together for Education Henley.
Elected to the council in 2019, she served as Mayor in 2022/23.
She chairs the Planning Committee and the 353–357 Reading Road Working Group.
Laurence Plant
Councillor (Con)
Henley Practice, The Oast House, Henley-on-Thames
Committees:
Laurence is a member of Finance Strategy & Management and Planning committees.
Outside Bodies Memberships:
Henley Racquet Club
Henley Youth Festival
River Thames Alliance.
Committees:
Kelly is a member of Recreation & Amenities and Town & Community.
Outside Bodies Memberships:
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Borama Friendship Link
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Henley 60s Club Management
-
Henley Falaise/Leichlingen Twinning Association
-
Henley Municipal Charities (Trustee)
Ian Reissmann
Councillor (HRG), Deputy Mayor
Albert Road, Henley on Thames
Committees:
As Deputy Mayor, Ian is Ex Officio member of all committees.
Outside Bodies Memberships:
-
Henley 60s Club Management
-
Henley Allotments Association
-
Henley Society
Committees:
Glen is a member of Recreation & Amenities and Town & Community committees.
Outside Bodies Memberships:
Henley Music School
South Oxfordshire District Council
Committees:
Kelly is a member of Recreation & Amenities and Town & Community.
Outside Bodies Memberships:
-
Borama Friendship Link
-
Henley 60s Club Management
-
Henley Falaise/Leichlingen Twinning Association
-
Henley Municipal Charities (Trustee)
Stefan Gawrysiak
Councillor (HRG)
Elizabeth Road, Henley-on-Thames
Committees:
Stefan is a member of Finance Strategy & Management and Recreation & Amenities committees.
Outside Bodies Memberships:
Oxfordshire Parish Transport Representative
Oxfordshire South and Vale Citizens Advice Bureau.
Ken Arlett
Councillor (HRG)
Elizabeth Road, Henley-on-Thames
Oxfordshire County Council
Stefan Gawrysiak
Councillor (HRG)
Elizabeth Road, Henley-on-Thames
Lives in Sonning Common near Henley and advocates for the local community. Has served on Sonning Common Parish Council since 2012 and at South Oxfordshire District Council since 2019.
An economics and finance graduate with extensive business experience in senior roles such as Finance and Managing Director.
Proven track record as a Cabinet member at SODC and has contributed to many improvements including restoring finances and radically improving the Local Plan.