St Mark’s Ward Liberal Democrat Councillors are Liz Green, Mary Heathcote and Yogan Yoganathan.  Collectively we work together to make Surbiton an even better place to live, work or play.  We welcome comments and questions from everyone, but especially residents of St Mark’s Ward who we aim to represent at borough level and beyond.

Councillor Liz Green (nee Shard)

Born in Coventry, Liz moved South to study at Maths and Mangement Studies, eventually arriving in Surbiton in 1998.  She was first elected to represent St Mark’s Ward on Kingston Council in May 2002, whilst working in marketing in London.  In 2004, she became the Executive Member for Environment at the Council and gave up working in central London to give more time to her Council responsibilities.  Currently Liz is Deputy Leader of Kingston Council with executive responsibility for Eduation for all.  For full details see Kingston Council website.  She also works part time for Edward Davey MP and is married with 2 children attending local schools.  Liz says:

I loved Surbiton as soon as I moved here, being close to London yet having a real community feel. I wanted to give something to the area that had become my home, which is why I stood for election.  Whilst I may not agree with everything the Liberal Democrats do, they still represent most of my views on how society should care for each other, but respect others freedoms.

Contact Liz at liz@stmarkslibdems.co.uk 

Councillor Mary Heathcote

Home to Mary and her family has been the St Marks Ward for the last 25 years. For much of that time, she commuted to London where she worked in a number of Government Departments, primarily the then DTI and Cabinet Office.   

In 2010 Mary was elected as one of the St Mark’s Ward Councillors and since then has been an active back bencher particularly in the areas of social care, health and disability including the role of Disability Champion for the Borough.   For full details see Kingston Council website.   Mary says:

I stopped work when I lost my sight about 5 years ago and became more involved in local issues, particularly as a member of SCARA.  The economic and social vitality of Surbiton has been a particular interest of mine over the last year through my role in the Council’s Working Group on small and medium sized enterprises and in developing our Community Plan.  But most of all I enjoy working with local residents on the issues of concern to them and helping them to achieve an acceptable outcome.

Contact Mary at mary@stmarkslibdems.co.uk

Councillor Yogan Yoganathan

Yogan has lived in Surbiton for over 40years, and been a Liberal Democrat member since 1992. he’s been married for 35 years, with a 32 year old son, who is a  former councillor in Berrylands Ward.

Some of the organisations which Yogan has worked with in his time of as a community activist and Kingston Councillor include: Kingston Council (Elected 2002 – present, Mayor 2005-06); Kingston Tamil School (Founder); Kingston Racial Equality Council (Former Chair); Special Olympics Surrey (Chair); Surbiton Rotary Club (first vice president elect 2011); Victim Support Kingston (Trustee) and Surrey Lankians Cricket Club (Chair). He was recognised with an MBE in the 2010 Queen’s New Year’s Honours List for services to local government and community relations.

Yogan is currently Co-Chair of Surbiton Neighbourhood Committee and has represented St. Marks Ward in Surbiton since 2002.  For full details see Kingston Council website.  Yogan says:

It has long been my desire and dream to represent people who do not have a voice through the democratic process and I achieved this with my election in 2002.  I believe the majority of Liberal Democrat polities are fair, open and help empower everyone to attain their best by creating a level playing field.  I am people person and always available to ensure all views are considered.  This is especially important prior to our open decision making at Surbiton Neighbourhood committee where I have been a chair for 8 years.

Contact Yogan at yogan@stmarkslibdems.co.uk