The Town Council Section.

Local Government functions in and around Beccles are undertaken by three levels (or tiers) of authority, Suffolk County Council, Waveney District Council and Beccles Town Council. Elections for the sixteen Town Council seats take place every four years, with members representing the four wards of Beccles which are Centre, Common, Darby and Rigbourne.

The Mayor of the Council is elected annually by a vote of the Council. Each year the Mayor chooses a charitable cause and raises money during his year of office.

The Town Council owns and manages quantities of marsh estate, the Common and various other plots of land and buildings in its ownership. The estate is leased or rented to users and this income, together with interest on investments, is used to maintain the Council's holdings and provide services for the benefit of parishioners.

The day to day work of the Council is carried out by the Clerks to the Council, Mrs Bernie Broom (town clerk) and Mrs Jula Janney (deputy town clerk) who can be contacted at the Town Hall, between 9.00am till 4.00pm. Problems can be discussed and planning applications considered, some archive material can be found in the Town Hall, but most of the archives are lodged with the Records Office in Lowestoft.

The Town Council meets twice monthly in the Council Chamber, at the Town Hall, on the first and third Tuesday.

The Planning Committee meet twice a month, on the first and third Tuesday of each month and Working Parties are set up for works undertaken regarding The Common, Leases, Budget, Grants, Awards etc and each working party make recommendations to the Council.

Minutes of meetings can be viewed at the Town Council office during opening hours and at Beccles Library, Blyburgate.

Beccles Town Council actively seeks to support every organisation in Beccles either through assisting with funding through the supply of a grant or by attending meetings as a representative or functions through invitation. The Town Council also works alongside Waveney District Council to achieve the best for Beccles.

A newsletter called 'The Charter' has been produced (The Charter) has been circulated, to keep the community of Beccles up to date with the Council views and news.