Cllr Donna Higgins elected new mayor of Bury St Edmunds

Bury St Edmunds’ new mayor says she wants to shine a light on young people as she steps into the role.

Cllr Donna Higgins, 64, was appointed at Bury St Edmunds Town Council’s full council meeting on Wednesday.

Cllr Higgins, who has represented Minden ward since 2019, said becoming mayor was an enormous honour, describing Bury as one of the most beautiful towns in Suffolk.

In line with her past, having been employed to lead the support for special educational needs (SEN) at Horringer Court Middle School in 1995 and staying until her retirement, she said young people would be a huge focus of her tenure.

Cllr Higgins said: “I have a history as a person concerned with making sure things are right for young people in our town. It is one of the things that drove me to becoming a councillor. Young people are a focus of who and what I am.

“However, it isn’t just young people, they need happy families, they need to be in an environment that is economically buoyant and worth being proud of and they need a sense of belonging to the community.

“I would like to see these fostered in Bury, protected and expanded upon.

“The role will see me promote the town and encourage more people to come here. Bury is a thriving market town and it is lovely to build that community and share it with others.”

Cllr Higgins served as deputy mayor under Diane Hind, who succeeded her as deputy last week.

She has yet to select her chosen charities but was confident they would align with her vision as mayor.

She was eager to get stuck into her duties, with her first official event scheduled for Thursday, for the Joan Mann Special Sports Day at RAF Mildenhall.

Cllr Higgins said: “I’m really looking forward to the next year, talking to people, listening to them and finding out what the year brings.”

Cllr Higgins led her first council meeting last week.

Regarding the differences between deputy and mayor, she added: “I’ve sat next to the mayor for a few years but it feels different when you’re in the chair.

“The focus is on you and the way you behave and the way you want to be interpreted are important. You speak for the town.

“Thankfully I have the support of other councillors who will see me through.”