John Kennett was re-elected in the 2021 Hart District Council elections
John Kennett is an experienced District Councillor who has represented the Odiham ward since 2008. The ward also comprises five surrounding, parishes including South Warnborough where he has lived since 2000.
He has served on every committee of the council and has twice been elected Chairman by fellow councillors of all parties. He is also active locally and is Chairman of Trustees of the village hall which has been greatly improved under his leadership.
He accepts the need for more houses but is keen to do this in a way which protects the character of local villages.
John has been a District Councillor since 2008. In that time he has served on all the main committees of the Council and on the Cabinet. He was elected by his fellow councillors, first as Vice Chairman and then as Chairman of Hart Council, in which capacity he signed the Military Covenant along with the C.O.s of RAF Odiham and Gibraltar Barracks. Also he has spent three years as the council's representative on the Hampshire Police and Crime Panel.
He had a varied business career after university, firstly in Marketing with multinational companies before moving with his wife to the United States in 1984 as a result of an acquisition he had championed. Part of his brief was to seek further acquisitions and he successfully brought two more to completion. When a third was rejected as being too small for a multinational he left and bought it himself. He later sold it, intending to return to England, but was persuaded by his children to stay in California so they could continue to visit.
He then set up another company and grew it for seven years before selling it and returning to England in 2001.
He lives in South Warnborough, the childhood home of his wife, Harriet; they have two children and have five grand children. He soon became involved in the community, joining the Rotary Club in Alton, where he has served on most committees and as President. Twelve years ago he was elected Chairman of Trustees of the village hall. Under his leadership, the hall has been completely refurbished and extended including the construction of a small flat in the roof. This community resource is now on a very solid financial footing and, due to the rent from the flat, should remain so in perpetuity.
He can be contacted via CllrKennett@aol.com or 01256 862203.