Halesworth’s new chairman outlines her aims for the year

Anne Fleming has said it is a “great privilege” to be elected chairman of Halesworth Town Council and has highlighted health services among her key aims during her time in office.

Mrs Fleming, who replaced Annette Dunning, said her main concern was health services and the Patrick Stead Hospital, which has seen ward closures in the past.

The 66-year-old said: “We will keep in touch with developments from the health authority regarding health services in Halesworth. A group of people I’ve been elected with took signatures for a petition to save the Patrick Stead Hospital and with the nearest hospital an hour away it is very important to us.”

The former primary school headteacher, who is a serving magistrate in Lowestoft, added: “I will also focus on communication. There is a lot we can do to let people know more about what’s going on in the town.

“And I’d like to work closer with Waveney District Council and Suffolk County Council to help keep Halesworth a vibrant and diverse town.”

Mrs Fleming has attended council meetings intently for the past four years to get to know the town and said she put herself forward for the position because she wanted to give something back to the town she loves.

“It’s a great privilege to be elected,” she said. “I’ve been here 12 years and I love the town and have got a lot of memories from it and made a lot of friends.

“The town is such a lovely place to be.”

Mrs Fleming also said she would like to work closely with volunteer groups which help keep the town “a great place”.