Sonia Barker

I was honoured to serve as Lowestoft’s Mayor & Chair of the Council having been unanimously elected by LTC Councillors for the Civic Year 2023-24.  During my term of office I was privileged to meet so many people across the town who were eager to celebrate their achievements from the opening of a new business to the celebration of literacy at a Primary School, amongst so many others. The solemnity of Remembrance and Armistice Day were very special with large crowds witnessing Lowestoft at its very best. I also represented Lowestoft across Suffolk at events in Ipswich, Bury St. Edmund’s, Felixstowe, Southwold, Beccles, Norwich Cathedral (as part of the Norfolk & Waveney Diocese), Gt. Yarmouth’s Minster, James Paget University Hospital, Oulton Broad and Stowmarket.

In 2023 as LTC Chair & Mayor I was an integral part of the LTC team that secured funding for the Lowestoft Town Hall refurbishment (£12m) and related regeneration of the High Street and the upgrade to the Marina Theatre (c£4.2m).

As the current Chair of LTC Events & Comms Sub Committee I have worked alongside LTC staff and Cllrs to introduce the first Pride event and working with Norfolk & Waveney Mind for the first Kindness Event.  Separately, I have also instigated the LTC Youth Forum Working Group to encourage young people in the town to engage with the Council.

Prior to becoming a LTC Cllr I served as a Suffolk County Cllr (2013-17) for the Pakefield Division and as SCC Opposition Spokesperson for Education & Skills.  From 2014-18 I served as Leader of the Opposition on the then Waveney District Council (WDC) leading 20+ Cllrs (having been a Cllr from 2011).  As Chair of WDC Overview & Scrutiny Committee I led on solutions to scrutinising educational standards in Lowestoft. From 2013-2017 I was elected to the role of Vice Chair of the SCC Education & Children’s Scrutiny Committee which was a challenging and very rewarding role where Safeguarding of young people across the county was a key issue as well as securing improved facilities for SEND pupils in Lowestoft.  My experience as a Lowestoft, Beccles & Norwich High school teacher and Head of Year for over 25 years informed my Cllr role.

I look forward to receiving any suggestions you may have to make the town thrive.

I’m also a member of the JPUH Choir which performs at Charity events and a volunteer at SWT’s Carlton Marsh.

Sonia Barker