SCUBAHUB
BSAC Election 2025: Results
Andy Shenstone
BSAC has welcomed its newly elected Chair, Andy Shenstone and Council Member Michelle Haywood, following the 2025 Council Elections.
BSAC would like to congratulate the successful candidates in this year’ s election. Thanks also go to Edward Haynes for his time as BSAC Chair and retiring Council members John Gibbons and Caroline Royale as well as all the candidates who stood in this year’ s election. The full BSAC Election 2025 results are as follows:
Michelle Haywood
Voting: BSAC Chair
Candidates Andy Shenstone Edward Haynes
Voting: Council Member( one position was available)
Candidates Michelle Haywood Alexander Denny Nigel Maris Damien Love
Count 850 votes ELECTED
453 votes
Count
709 votes ELECTED 373 votes 155 votes 77 votes
Number of eligible voters: 20,116 Total number of votes cast: 1,406 Turnout: 7 % Number of blank votes: 92
Total number of valid votes counted: 1,314
Both Andy and Michelle have now taken up their new Council positions following the recent AGM.
Motion for the Ocean gains momentum
CHESHIRE WEST AND CHESTER Council( CWAC) has become the 35th local authority to get on board with the Motion for the Ocean campaign for cleaner, healthier rivers and seas.
BSAC launched the Motion for the Ocean initiative at the Go Diving Show back in March to encourage members to contact their local councillors and pass a motion to commit to cleaner waters.
Following the Motion for Ocean process, BSAC’ s Head of Community, Debbie Powell, contacted her local council in Cheshire. She
8 received a positive response from her local councillor, who invited her to speak at a Council meeting in front of more than 60 councillors of all parties. All the councillors were united in backing the motion.
Debbie, who was supported on the day by Chester SAC, said she was delighted to see Cheshire Council‘ stepping up’ for the ocean.“ Our rivers and seas belong to everyone, and this motion gives communities like ours a real way to make a difference,” she added. Emily Cunningham MBE, BSAC member, marine biologist and co-founder of the Motion for the Ocean initiative, said she hoped even more local councils would follow suit.“ This is a brilliant result. It shows that communities in Cheshire recognise just how connected we all are to the ocean— even miles from the coast. CWAC has shown real environmental leadership.”
BSAC is now encouraging more members to invite their local authorities to sign up to the Motion for the Ocean.
“ You don’ t need to go on a march, or make a speech, or write a dissertation... you simply need to contact your local councillor and ask them to propose a motion for the ocean,” Debbie added.“ Get involved, add your voice and help make real change in our communities to protect the environment we love.”
To find out how you or your council can be part of the Motion for the Ocean, visit bsac. com / m4to