Kevin Nicholson (politician)

Kevin Nicholson BEM
Councillor Darlington Borough Council
Incumbent
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
Religion	Church of England
Website	www.kevinnicholson.co.uk

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

In 2014, Nicholson became one of the youngest people in the country to be awarded a British Empire Medal [BEM] in the Queen's New Years Honours List 2014^[3] Nicholson received the British Empire Medal [BEM] for services to the community, in particular for voluntary work helping to revamp the Firthmoor Community Centre in Darlington^[4] Nicholson was officially presented with the British Empire Medal [BEM] by the Lord Lieutenant of County Durham, Mrs Sue Snowdon, on behalf of Her Majesty the Queen, at ceremony held at Firthmoor Community Centre^[5]

Community Work

Kevin Nicholson pictured with the British Empire Medal

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, he was then elected chairman at the charity's Annual General Meeting in the July of that year, becoming Darlington's youngest community leaders^[6] Nicholson lead programme aimed at revamping^[7] and modernising the local community centre^[8] initial consultations took place with local residents about the plans^[9] which included reverting to the community centre's former name of Firthmoor Community Centre^[10]

Nicholson became chairman in a time when the charity was dealing with a number internal issues, including restrictions to the charity's income streams^[11] however despite the operational and funding challenges, new projects, initiatives and activities were encouraged to make use of the community centre, including the community centre solar panels project^[12] and the community café refurbishment^[13]

In addition Nicholson supported the set up of a regular NHS blood donation service and new NHS dental surgery at the community centre^[14] a community sponsorship campaign was also launched^[15]

Kevin Nicholson delivers winter assistance leaflets to local residents

Darlington's Youth MP

In 2005, Nicholson was elected to the UK Youth Parliament as a Member of Youth Parliament representing young people in Darlington^[16]

Nicholson worked closely with other north east members of the UK Youth Parliament, sharing ideas that were aimed at improving services for local young people^[17][18] Nicholson publicly supported Darlington Borough Council's plans to merge two secondary schools into a £25m academy^[19]

In 2006, Nicholson was awarded Darlington's first Young Citizen of the Year Award for outstanding services to the community^[20]

Local Government

On the 7th January 2015, Nicholson announced his intention to stand as an independent candidate in the Local Government elections. Speaking to the Northern Echo Nicholson said: “I am passionate about my local area, I care about its future, I’ve been working hard for several years to make things better for local people and I certainly want to do more, he added: “I want to bring the town hall to people’s doorstep, with a new fresh approach to politics^[21]

Nicholson was successfully elected receiving 1,142 votes, taking a 45% share of vote the largest vote share in that ward^{[22] [23]}

References

External links

• Official website
• Community Centre Official website