Christchurch Conservatives are represented on Guildford Borough Council by Matt Furniss and Nikki Nelson Smith. We represent all the electors to the best of our ability and will fight to protect the character of the ward and the borough.

Matt Furniss

Has have lived in Guildford for over 12 years. Matt was educated locally at Boxgrove Primary School and George Abbot School before graduating the University of Surrey after studying Politics and International Relations. Matt now works for an organic food company.

Matt was elected as one of two local Conservative Councilors for the Christchurch Ward in May 2007.

Since 2007 Matt has led on numerous of planning applications including the former DEFRA site now Boxgrove Gardens, and aiding the residents of Abbotswood with their Conservation Status. He has helped to improve the area around the local shops in Boxgrove and is working closely with Boxgrove school in their upcoming expansion. Matt set up a new Christchurch Community Speedwatch with the local Police to combat speeding within the ward.

Matt Furniss currently serves on the Council's Customer and Community Scrutiny Committee as Chairman, the Licensing Committee as Chairman and the Planning Committee, Surrey Scrutiny Group.

Matt is also a governor of both Guildford College and St. Peters Catholic Comprehensive in Merrow, and a civilian committee member of 261 Squadron Air Cadets in Guildford.

Nikki Nelson Smith

Nikki has lived in Christchurch since 2004 with her husband and two children.

Nikki worked as an economist for many years and still retains a strong interest in economic affairs. She combines practical business sense with a desire to help improve the way things are run. In particular, she would like to help enhance the local economy, improve local government efficiency, and foster employment. She is a member of the Management Committee of the Guildford Community Jobs Club, which is a platform helping to bring people back into work.

For six years she was a trustee of a charity teaching life skills and the dangers of drug abuse to children, and she helped write one of the course books, which were widely used in Surrey schools. She is a member of her local Residents Association Committee as she has a keen interest in planning. She is a member of the Royal Surrey County Hospital Foundation Trust.

Nikki sings in a local choir which she hopes will soon perform in the G Live. The choir has close links with a choir in Guildford’s twinned town, Freiburg, and Nikki has helped organise choir trips to and from Freiburg.