Hailsham Town Council Welcomes New Member

A new town councillor has been co-opted to Hailsham Town Council at a meeting of Full Council held remotely on Wednesday evening [24 March].

Independent candidate Ross Newark, who has been a resident of Hailsham for over 40 years, was co-opted by town councillors to represent Hailsham North Ward and will hold office until the normal election of all councillors in May 2023.

The member vacancy arose after the resignation of Craig Tasane recently and Cllr Newark’s co-option now brings the Council’s membership back to eighteen town councillors.

Senior Software Developer Cllr Newark was locally educated having attended Hawkes Farm and Hailsham Community College, before gaining qualifications from the Eastbourne College of Arts & Technology and University of Brighton with a degree in Software Engineering.

Community focused, Cllr Newark has served as a Parent Governor at Hawkes Farm School, chairing the PTA and raising funds through charity events, and helped to create Hailsham Town Junior Football Club, serving as the Chairman and an FA Level-1 junior football coach. He is also a director of Hailsham Active (formerly Hailsham & District Sports Alliance), for which he also acts as social media consultant.

Cllr Newark stated that among his reasons for putting his name forward to become a town councillor was to work on making Hailsham a better place to live, work and visit. He said: “I believe that I will be a great addition to the Council and this opportunity will allow me to express my passion and utilise my skills for the benefit of the community.”

“Hailsham is my home. I’ve grown up here, it’s where I work, it’s where my family and friends live, where my children go to school, where I socialise and where my wife runs her business. So, I’m very keen for Hailsham to flourish and believe that my perspective, paired with my approachable manner and all-round knowledge of our community and its current issues will make a valuable contribution to Hailsham Town Council.”

Welcoming Cllr Newark on to the Town Council, Town Clerk John Harrison commented: “I’m delighted Ross has been elected to represent Hailsham North Ward. He was a good candidate and I’m confident that he will get involved in the local community and promote close links between the Council and the people it serves, as well as help improve the quality of life for residents.”

“I look forward to working with Ross in the future and wish him every success in his role as town councillor.”

Cllr Newark can be contacted by email at cllr.ross.newark@hailsham-tc.gov.uk.