Skip to menu

Councillor Mary Cunningham

  • General
  • Committees
  • Member Register of Interests
  • Outside Bodies
  • Councillor Grant Scheme
  • Training History
  • Ward History
  • Election History
Councillor  Mary Cunningham
Elected:
04 May 2023
First Elected
07 May 2015
Party:
Conservative
Ward:
Braintree West
Address:
C/O Braintree District Council Offices
Causeway House
Bocking End
Braintree
Essex
CM7 9HB
Mobile Telephone No:
07811 780355
Biography:

Councillor Cunningham is Cabinet Member for Stronger Communities. Details of Councillor Cunningham's portfolio and Deputy Cabinet Member can be found here

Job Title:
Department:

Election History

ElectedRetiredReason
Thu 7 May 2015 Mon 6 May 2019 Retirement and re-elected
Thu 9 May 2019 Wed 3 May 2023 Local Elections - May 2023
Thu 4 May 2023  

Party Representation History

PartyFromTo
ConservativeThu 7 May 2015

Ward Representation History

WardFromTo
Braintree Central and Beckers GreenThu 7 May 2015 Mon 6 May 2019
Braintree WestThu 9 May 2019 Wed 3 May 2023
Braintree WestThu 4 May 2023

Personal Register of Interests

Date of NoticeReceipt by Monitoring OfficerView
There are no register of interest records for this member.

Meeting Declarations

Committee NameMeeting DateNatureView
There are no meeting declarations for this member.
DateTitleNotes
Mon, 18 Nov 2024Code of Conduct 
Wed, 13 Nov 2024CSP and PFCC 
Wed, 18 Sep 2024Planning Policy/Local Plan 
Wed, 17 Jul 2024Strategic Partnerships 
Thu, 9 May 2024Strategic Management and Strategic Risk Register 
Wed, 6 Mar 2024Housing 
Wed, 7 Feb 2024Health and Wellbeing 
Wed, 31 Jan 2024Corporate Scrutiny Committee (Budget update) 
Tue, 16 Jan 2024Community Safety and PFCC  
Wed, 13 Dec 2023Cost of Living 
Wed, 1 Nov 2023Devolution 
Wed, 27 Sep 2023Strategic Risk 
Wed, 16 Aug 2023Levelling Up 
Mon, 22 May 2023Effective Ward Councillor  
Thu, 18 May 2023Governance 
Mon, 15 May 2023Introduction to the Council’s Management Board and Senior Managers 
Tue, 28 Feb 2023Housing Strategy 
Thu, 9 Feb 2023Planning (including enforcement) 
Wed, 26 Oct 2022Cost of Living 
Thu, 29 Sep 2022Economic Development 
Tue, 19 Jul 2022Levelling Up 
Thu, 16 Jun 2022Police and Crime Commissioner 
Thu, 26 May 2022Strategic Risk Register 
Thu, 30 May 2019Introduction to Environmental Services and Enforcement, and Housing and Community Services 
Tue, 28 May 2019Introduction to Local Government Finance and Strategic Investments 
Tue, 14 May 2019Introduction to Council Services 
Thu, 9 May 2019Member Induction Day - Overview of the Council including Role of Councillor and Code of Conduct  
Mon, 28 Jan 2019PFCC 
Wed, 21 Nov 2018Scrutiny of the Priorities for 2019/20 and Initial Budget Position 
Thu, 26 Jul 2018Member Development - Planning EnforcmentSession outline: Guide to Planning Enforcement including: Outline of powers and enforcement tools, breaches of planning controls, permitted development, allegations which are not planning breaches, outline of powers for untidy land, unlawful adverts, protected trees and listed buildings.
Thu, 24 May 2018Member Development - Health and wellbeingSession Outline: Be Well Strategy, Disabled Facilities Grants, Home First initiative, mental health provision
Wed, 22 Nov 2017Overview and Scrutiny 
Thu, 16 Nov 2017Member Development Evening 
Wed, 8 Nov 2017Sensory Awarness 
Wed, 26 Jul 2017Member Development 
Wed, 28 Jun 2017Member Development 
Thu, 25 May 2017Member Development 
Tue, 7 Mar 2017Member Development 
Wed, 1 Feb 2017Member Development 
Mon, 5 Dec 2016Member Development 
Thu, 3 Nov 2016Member Development 
Tue, 20 Sep 2016Sensory Awareness 
Thu, 8 Sep 2016Member Development 
Tue, 12 Jan 2016Community Champions 
Thu, 16 Jul 2015Managing Difficult Situations 
Tue, 30 Jun 2015Public Health Development Training 
Tue, 2 Jun 2015Member Induction 
Thu, 21 May 2015Member Induction 
Thu, 14 May 2015Member Induction 
Wed, 13 May 2015Member Induction 
DateFromDescriptionValue
There are no hospitality and gift records for this member.

Councillors’ Community Grant

This Grant Scheme operates from 1st September 2016 and provides all 49 Ward Councillors with funds to support organisations and groups to develop and deliver community projects and initiatives that benefit local residents.

Councillors are obliged to consider the Member Code of Conduct when making grant decisions.  To aid transparency the details of each grant are published below.

Grants given by Councillor Mrs Mary Cunningham:

2016/17

Organisation: Torchlight
Project: Torchlight Growth and Development Programme
Overall cost of project: £1390.00
Grant awarded: £1390.00
Joint Grant: No
Date: 18th January 2017

2017/18

Organisation: Braintree, Halstead and Witham Citizens Advice Bureau
Project: Citizens Advice in the Community
Overall cost of project: £2280
Grant awarded: £760
Joint Grant:Yes - Councillors John Cunningham and Andrews Hensman
Date: 26th June 2017

Organisation: Al Falah Braintree Islamic Centre
Project: Mosque Open Day
Overall cost of project: £1,600.00
Grant awarded: £334.00
Joint Grant: Yes - Councillors John Cunningham and Andrew Hensman
Date: 14th August 2017

Organisation: Braintree Chess Club
Project: Braintree Chess 2017
Overall cost of project: £940.24
Grant awarded: £240.00
Joint Grant: Yes  - Councillors John Cunningham and Andrew Hensman
Date: 26th October 2017

Organisation: Braintree Basketball Club
Project: Electronic Score Board
Overall cost of project: £944
Grant awarded: £144
Joint Grant: Yes  - Councillors John Cunningham, Graham Butland, Tom Cunningham, Vanessa Santomauro and Andrew Hensman
Date: 8th January 2018

Organisation: Braintree Foyer
ProjectBraintree Community Activators
Overall cost of project: £1000
Grant awarded: £132
Joint Grant: Yes (with Councillor Santomauro, Councillor Ramage and Councillor Mr J Cunningham)
Date: 22nd March 2018

2018/19

Organisation: Torchlight
Project: Street Dancing and Residential Activity Programme
Overall cost of project: £2200
Grant awarded: £600
Joint Grant: Yes - Councillor Mr J Cunningham
Date: 23rd May 2018

Organisation: Al Falah Braintree Islamic Centre 
Project: Community Fun Day
Overall cost of project: £3000
Grant awarded: £400
Joint Grant: Yes - Councillors John Cunningham, Graham Butland, Tom Cunningham, Mrs Lyn Walters, Frankie Ricci and John  McKee
Date: 24th May 2018

Organisation: Hearing Help Essex Ltd
Project:Hearing Aid Support Service
Overall cost of project: £12,320 (requesting £2353.)
Grant awarded: £250.00
Joint Grant: Yes  - Councillors John Cunningham, Tom Cunningham, Frankie Ricci, Peter Tattersley, Phil Barlow, Mrs Lyn Walters, Miss Vanessa Santomauro and Peter Schwier.
Date: 26th January 2019

2019/20

Organisation: Community Iron
Charity Registration Number: 1162930
Project: Mental Health First Aid Train the Trainer
Overall cost of Project: £2232 (Requested £2232)
Grant Awarded: £200
Joint Grant: Yes - Councillors Miss Vanessa Santomauro,  Graham Butland, Saif Rehman, Frankie Ricci, Tom Cunningham, Kevin Bowers, Mrs Lyn Walters, Peter Tattersley, John McKee and Andrew Hensman
Date: 7th June 2019
Financial Year: 2019/20

Organisation: Baby Stuff
Project: New Shed, Base, Hilti Fixings
Overall cost of Project: £1,250
Grant Awarded: £250.00
Joint Grant: Yes - Councillors Graham Butland,Tom Cunningham, Frankie Ricci, Mrs Lyn Walters and Dean Wallace 
Date: 21st November 2019
Financial Year: 2019/20

Organisation: Braintree Youth Project Charity
Registered Charity Number: 1139014
Project: Life Enhancing Skills Project 
Overall cost of Project: £1,969
Grant Awarded: £700
Joint Grant: Yes - Councillor John McKee 
Date: 13th February 2020
Financial Year: 2019/20

2020/21

Organisation: Braintree & Bocking Community Association
Project: IT Installation
Overall cost of Project: £2,870
Grant Awarded: £2,600
Joint Grant: Yes (Councillors Graham Butland, Justin Wrench, Paul Euesden and Stevie Hicks)
Date: 4th November 2020
Financial Year: 2020/21

2021/22

Organisation: Braintree District Museum Trust
Registered Charity No.: 1110447 and 05408088
Project: Exhibition 'Space Fact & Fiction'
Overall cost of project: £7,500
Grant awarded: £200
Joint Grant: Yes - Councillors John Baugh, Kevin Bowers, Graham Butland, Tom Cunningham, Andrew Hensman, John McKee, Ian Pritchard, Wendy Schmitt, Peter Tattersley, Dean Wallace, Lyn Walters and Justin Wrench
Date: 26th May 2021
Financial Year: 2021/22

Organisation: Wilderness Foundation UK
Registered Charity No.: 1118493 
Project: Wilderness nature therapy 
Overall cost of project: £60,000 per year
Grant awarded: £500
Joint Grant: Yes - Councillors Kevin Bowers, Tom Cunningham and Frankie Ricci
Date: 3rd December 2021
Financial Year: 2021/22

Organisation: Braintree Youth Project Charity
Registered Charity No.: 1139014
Project: New furnishings
Overall cost of project: £1,278
Grant awarded: £578
Joint Grant: Yes - Councillors Frankie Ricci, John McKee, Paul Euesden
Date: 9th February 2022
Financial Year: 2021/22

Organisation: Al Falah Braintree Islamic Centre
Registered Charity No.: 1086210
Project: Community Fun Day
Overall cost of project: £3,900
Grant awarded: £400
Joint Grant: Yes - Councillors Tom Cunningham, John McKee, Saif Rehman, Frankie Ricci, Mrs Wendy Schmitt, Dean Wallace and Mrs Lyn Walters
Date: 6th June 2022
Financial Year: 2022/23

Organisation: Braintree Basketball Club
Registered Charity No.: N/A
Project: Improvements to sports facilities 
Overall cost of project: £10,654.68
Grant awarded: £500
Joint Grant: Yes - Councillors Kevin Bowers, Graham Butland, David Mann, John McKee, Ian Pritchard, Saif Rehman, Frankie Ricci, Mrs Wendy Schmitt, Dean Wallace and Justin Wrench
Date: 21st June 2022
Financial Year: 2022/23

Organisation: Baby Stuff Braintree
Charity Registration Number: N/A
Project: Baby Stuff - Winter Warmth
Overall cost of Project: £2500
Grant Awarded: £400
Joint Grant: Yes - Councillors John Baugh, Tom Cunningham, Paul Euesden, Trevor McArdle, John McKee, Ian Pritchard
Date: 3rd September 2022
Financial Year: 2022/23

Organisation: Elim Church Braintree
Charity Registration Number: 251549
Project: Planting on highways land Manor Street Braintree
Overall cost of Project: £1150
Grant Awarded: £200
Joint Grant: Yes - Councillors Tom Cunningham, Ian Pritchard, Saif Rehman, Frankie Ricci
Date: 22nd October 2022
Financial Year: 2022/23

Organisation: Al Falah Braintree Islamic Centre 
Charity Registration Number: 
N/A
Project: 
Family Fun Day 2023
Overall cost of Project: 
£4,000
Grant Awarded: 
£150
Joint Grant: 
Yes (Cllr Ayten, Cllr Butland, Cllr T Cunningham, Cllr Diamond, Cllr Green, Cllr Jefferis, Cllr Mason, Cllr Ricci and Cllr Wrench)
Date: 
26th June 2023 
Financial Year: 
2023/24

Organisation: Friends of Bradford Street
Charity Registration Number: N/A
Project: Blue Plaques
Overall cost of Project: £2350
Grant Awarded: £200
Joint Grant: Yes (with Councillors J Baugh, K Bowers, L Bowers-Flint, G Butland, T Cunningham, J Edwards, L Jefferis, G Prime, F Ricci, M Thorogood, L Walters
Date: 25th July 2023
Financial Year: 2023/24

Organisation: Baby Stuff Braintree
Charity Registration Number: N/A
Project: Winter Warmers 2023
Overall cost of Project: £4000
Grant Awarded: £300
Joint Grant: Yes (with Councillors G Butland, T Cunningham, J Edwards, G Prime, F Ricci, R van Dulken, L Walters
Date: 11th September 2023
Financial Year: 2023/24

Organisation: First Stop Centre
Charity Registration Number: 803170
Project: Community Fridge and New Freezers
Overall cost of Project: £1000
Grant Awarded: £350
Joint Grant: Yes (with Councillors J Edwards and T Cunningham)
Date: March 2024
Financial Year: 2023/24

Disclosable Pecuniary Interests

1. Employment, office, trade, profession or vocation

Councillor: Director and Company Secretary for Wrights Farm Contracts Ltd.

Spouse: Director of  Wrights Farm Contracts Ltd.

2. Financial Support

Councillor: Contribution to election expenses by Braintree Constituency Conservative Association.

Spouse: None.

3. Contracts with Braintree District Council

Councillor: None.  

Spouse: Contract with Braintree District Council for the collection of Garden Waste wef 1st March 2024.

4. Land/Property

Councillor/Spouse: Little Bishops, Queenborough Lane, Rayne, CM77 6FT

5. Property Licences

Councillor/Spouse: None

6. Tenancies with Braintree District Council

Councillor/Spouse: None

7. Securities

Councillor/Spouse: None

Other Pecuniary Interest

8. Employment

Wrights Farm Contracts Ltd

9. Discharged Contracts with Braintree District Council

None.

Registerable Non-Pecuniary interests

10. Relevant Memberships

Member of Conservative Party, Member of the National Trust, Member of the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), Member of the National Farmers Union (NFU)  and Member of the Cardiomyopathy Association.

11. Gifts and Hospitality with as estimated value of at least £50

None

Updated: 2nd January 2024

Member Attendance

Display attendance in date range

Attendance Summary

SummaryCountPercentage
Expected attendances18 
Present as expected1689%
Absent211%
Apologies received2100% of absences
In attendance (as a visitor)5 

Attendance Details