New councillors appointed to Beccles Town Council

Three new councillors have been appointed to a Suffolk town council.

A restaurant worker, an ex-submariner for the Royal Navy and account manager for a company decarbonising the commute were appointed to Beccles Town Council last Tuesday.

The appointments were made at a meeting of the town council, and bring the number of councillors up to 16.

Tarek Lahin, new Ringbourne Ward councillor, said in his profile: “I want to help make the town safer, and to work with young people and the police to create a drug-free community.

“Beccles is a really pleasant place to live and work in. I would like to be able to actively improve things for the best interests of residents within and visitors to Beccles.”

Tarek Lahin and his family moved to the UK from Bangladesh when he was 14 – moving first to Bungay, and then to Beccles in 2008.

He started working at India Gate Restaurant in Newgate, Beccles, in 2012, and has supported charities in the area.

Paul Osborne was also appointed for Ringbourne Ward at the end of May. His profile explains how he has worked as a submariner for the Royal Navy, production manager for theatres and science teacher – while he is now an administrator/artist/animator from his studio gallery in Beccles.

Mr Osborne describes himself as a ‘family man’ with two children, as well as an ‘arty type, poet, musician and artist’.

Labour member Samuel Hunt said: “I recently ran for election to [East Suffolk] district council and, although unsuccessful, I increased our vote share threefold and was pleased for the three Green winners.

“I’ve also been a parish councillor in Huntingfield, next to Halesworth.”

Mr Hunt said he and his family ‘loves’ Beccles. He is also proud to work for Motabilityways, a social enterprise based in Norwich that’s dedicated to decarbonising the commute.

These appointments follow the announcement of a new mayor for Beccles – cllr Christine Wheeler, who was chosen on May 16.