This page contains the names of candidates currently submitted for the election of the 2026 GHRA Committee. Candidates for each position are presented in alphabetical order.
Candidates should provide a short profile (up to 500 words) saying a bit about who they are and why they want to join the committee. This is not a job interview, so no need for anything very formal. Positions are open to residents aged 16 or over. Applications should also include the name and address of a nominator and seconder, who should also be residents.
The committee is made up of five officer positions: Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, Treasurer and the newly created Events Officer role. There are seven other slots for general committee members.
Submissions will be updated within 24hrs of being emailed to committee@gravenhillra.com .
Current List of Candidates for Officer positions
Chair
Paul Davis
I am standing for re-election as Chair of the GHRA because I remain committed to serving our fantastic community and building on the progress we have made.
Last year I focused on strengthening the GHRA’s effectiveness and credibility with key stakeholders, in particular, by improving the relationship with the developer, GHVDC, and encouraging a more constructive dialogue. I also developed and nurtured working relationships with local councillors and council officers, ensuring the GHRA is recognised as a serious and informed voice for residents.
I have been involved in the working group collaborating with Cherwell District Council on the provision of our community centre. Our input has been instrumental in shaping the specifications and CDC is working closely with us to deliver the facility. This lays the foundation for tangible progress in the coming year.
When GHVDC submitted the Stage 2 planning application, I worked hard to keep residents informed and helped the committee with an official objection as well as submitting my own personal objection. I was also in discussion with GHVDC about many of the problematic elements. As a result, GHVDC, has agreed to closer engagement with the GHRA on future submissions moving forwards.
I have promoted the use of working groups, giving more residents the opportunity to get involved on specific issues in a practical way. While progress has been made, I would like to focus on ensuring all residents have more opportunities to contribute, so everyone can have a voice in shaping our neighbourhood.
I am particularly proud to have championed change around the dangerous Rodney House roundabout, consistently raising the long-standing safety concerns and pressing for action.
If re-elected, I will continue to build on these achievements, strengthen external relationships, and support wider resident involvement, ensuring the GHRA represents everyone in our community fairly and effectively.
Current List of Candidates for the General Committee
Chris Grasby
We moved into our house on Read Place in the summer of 2022. I have now been a member of the committee for three years. I have helped the community on a number of subjects during this time including using my skills as an architect (retired), arranging the installation of the defibrillator on Edmunds Drive, organising the now regular community Litter-pick, helping at events, etc. It is critical that we have an organisation at the heart of our new and growing community as we settle into our new lives at Graven Hill, not least at the moment to help steer to success the project for our community centre.
Tim Lobanov
I’ve been a member of the GHRA committee for the past few months and am standing for re-election this year. I joined mid-term following a resignation and have mainly been supporting the committee with communications and related work. Outside of GHRA, I am a governor at Graven Hill Primary School and am also involved with the Graven Hill Community Garden. Since joining the committee, I have also set up Graven Hill Neighbourhood Watch. I’m keen to continue contributing in a practical, supportive way as the community grows. And I would like to make my main focus for this year establishing a sort of Graven Hill Residents Association “brand”, formalising it’s look, feel and voice across different ways we communicate, whether it’s online, through the post or at our events.
Graven Hill Residents' Association 