Lowestoft Town Council
Your Council Tax is made up of contributions to your local councils (Suffolk County Council, East Suffolk Council, Lowestoft Town Council and Suffolk Police.)
The money raised through the Council Tax helps manage and develop services and assets in your town and deliver on our commitments to you.
For 2025-2026 Lowestoft Town Council's budget will be £2,413,263. For a Band D property this is £181.23 per year. This is a 13% increase on the cost to each household compared to the 2024-2025 precept (£2,090,222 which was £160.38 for Band D).
This equates to £3.49 per week for a Band D property, and provides:
Free-to-access Bulky Waste Collection Scheme
Food and Social Relief funding and Grant funding to local organisations and charities
Maintenance of your local parks and open spaces, including investing in improvements to these
Free-to-access sports and fitness activities alongside free use of our sports facilities
A full calendar of free-to-access events throughout the year
Support to the Marina Theatre, providing a leisure and cultural offer to the Town.
Writing about the Town Council's budget for 2025/26, the Mayor of Lowestoft, Cllr Nasima Begum said:
"As Lowestoft Town Council enters its ninth year since being formed, it is amazing to think how far we have come in delivering our ambitions for Lowestoft.
In 2024, we continued our work to bring the Town Hall back into community use with construction expected to start in 2025, saw major refurbishment on the Marina Theatre start, and partnered with the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) to see all of our tennis facilities refurbished whilst keeping them free-to-access. We’ve also continued to grow our dedicated team of staff as we bring more of our grounds maintenance work in-house and bring a wider range of events and activities to the town.
2025 will see us deliver more for the people of Lowestoft. Over the coming year, we have plans to continue our schedule of play area improvements with Thirlmere Walk receiving a refurbishment, deliver more free-to-access events and activities (including Lowestoft Pride, VE Day and free sports sessions), and make our successful trial of the Bulky Waste Collection Scheme for residents of Lowestoft a permanent service to help reduce fly-tipping and restore pride in our town.
We have also increased our Food and Social Relief budget which has supported many food banks and pantries over the past year, whilst also maintaining our Community Grants budget to support local organisations.
There are many ways for people to engage with the Town Council, whether it be by attending meetings in-person or online, coming along to our events or activities, or interacting with us on social media. Everyone is welcome to share their views and ideas as we continue our aim of being the voice for the people of Lowestoft."
To find out more about our commitments for 2025/26, you can read our Council Tax leafelt.
The first major construction milestone for the Town Hall regeneration project begins this week following Lowestoft Town Council’s appointment of Barnes Construction to undertake the main construction work. The work will initially see the installation of scaffolding around the building as work to bring the Lowestoft Town Hall back into community use begins.
The installation of scaffolding will take several weeks and marks the first visual signs of work on the Town Hall which will open in late 2026. This follows an extensive period of public consultation on the future use of the Town Hall and its designs, which have been finalised by HAT Projects, and work to secure external funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Towns Fund and East Suffolk Council.
Cllr Nasima Begum, Mayor of Lowestoft said, “With scaffolding going up around the Town Hall, it is an exciting time for Lowestoft as this project comes to fruition. I am grateful to everyone who has contributed towards this project, including members of the public for their support along the way, and all our funding partners. This is just the start of the work and, whilst there are still some milestones to go, I cannot wait to see the completed regeneration of this iconic building in our High Street.”
Mark Hart, Joint Managing Director of Barnes Construction said: “We are thrilled to have been appointed by Lowestoft Town Council to deliver the refurbishment of the Town Hall and restore its community focus. We are privileged to have been entrusted with such a significant opportunity to ensure that the civic benefits are felt widely and deeply. We are also delighted to have been awarded the opportunity as main contractor for Lowestoft Post Office, working with East Suffolk Council to repurpose a historical building and make creative use of its original function. It’s an exciting chapter for the future landscape of the town and we are incredibly pleased to be a part of it”.
Robyn Llewellyn, Director, England, Midlands & East at The National Lottery Heritage Fund said: “We’re excited for construction work to get underway at Lowestoft Town Hall. Thanks to National Lottery players, who have made possible total funding from us of nearly £4.5million, the communities of Lowestoft and beyond will see a local landmark be revitalised into a bustling community space that celebrates local culture.”
Cllr Caroline Topping, Leader of East Suffolk Council and Heritage Champion, said: “This is a big step in the regeneration of Lowestoft Town Hall and its transformation into a multifunctional space for the community. East Suffolk Council has shown its support for the project through direct investment of £1.2million to help breathe new life into the building and welcome the public back through its doors.”
Throughout the project, Barnes Construction will be holding several drop-in sessions to given members of the public the opportunity to ask questions on the project and to have any questions or queries answered. The first session will be taking place on Thursday 27th March, 4pm-6pm at 91 High Street.
The work to renovate the Town Hall will provide a compelling and innovative heritage exhibition, gallery space with a changing programme of exhibitions and events, wedding and reception venue with catering facilities, co-working space for sole traders and small businesses, a café, and additional community event space. Improving the accessibility to the Town Hall is included within the plans with a more open reception area, accessible toilet facilities, including a Changing Places room and lifts. The Town Hall will also become the home for Lowestoft Town Council, hosting the Council meetings and staff offices, and Suffolk Registrars. Once completed, the Town Hall will be a major employer in the area alongside offering apprenticeship opportunities. During the construction stage, the project will also be a major local employer with Barnes Construction committed to ensuring local people are involved, whilst there will also be opportunities for work placements with opportunities for six people to learn about heritage building techniques.
The Lowestoft Town Hall Project is a Lowestoft Town Council initiative supported by National Lottery players via The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Other significant funders for the regeneration include Towns Fund and East Suffolk Council.
Read more on Construction Work Starts on Town Hall Regeneration Project
Lowestoft Town Council have several opportunities to join our team:
Multi skilled grounds maintenance people are required to join our grounds and building maintenance team. As experienced and practical gardeners/horticulturists, you will help us maintain our parks, open spaces and buildings in an environmentally positive way.
Environmental Support Officers
This role will suit people who enjoy the outdoors and care about litter-free and clean public open spaces and buildings. You will keep our parks and public buildings clean and tidy and improve the environment as well as being important role models. These are temporary posts for six months.
Drivers with own cars are preferred however, non-drivers will be considered as long as they can get to sites independently, as required.
Some weekend and other out of normal hours work may be required.
Application Deadline for both roles: 21 March 2025
Contact us for further information, recruitment packs or to request an informal discussion with the Acting Town Clerk about the role.
admin@lowestofttowncouncil.gov.uk
0330 053 6019
Lowestoft Town Council is looking to engage a suitably experienced Contractor to specify, provide and install audio-visual systems throughout Lowestoft Town Hall, including in the historic Council Chamber, several meeting rooms and an events hall.
The Grade II Lowestoft Town Hall is currently undergoing a major restoration project, and the appointed contractor will be required to liaise with the M&E subcontractors re setting out of cabling, and with the architectural team in terms of selection of equipment suitable for each location, including heritage settings, as well as specifying and supplying the necessary equipment for each location. All equipment must be easily operable by non-technical users, and variously will need to support videoconferencing, presentations, playing of music and broadcasting of meetings and ceremonies. Installation is likely to take place summer 2026, once the capital works are completed.
Whilst high-quality performance is essential, at the same time, as a publicly funded project, cost-effectiveness and value for money will be key. An ongoing support and maintenance service may also form part of the service.
To register your interest, and to receive a tender documentation pack that will include the high level user brief and RIBA4 drawings (which are subject to amendment dependent on the solutions provided), please email: admin@lowestofttowncouncil.gov.uk
Read more on Contract Tender - Town Hall Audio Visual Supply and Installation
Contract Opportunity - Collection and Disposal of Bulky Waste
Lowestoft Town Council is seeking a contractor to manage and deliver its bulky waste scheme. This service is provided to households in Lowestoft by offering a free to access collection and disposal of bulky waste items such as sofas, fridges, wardrobes and play equipment where such households may struggle with the charges ordinarily made for such a service.
The scheme is part of the Town Council’s aim to decrease fly-tipping and restore pride in the town.
If you have the equipment, necessary licences and are interested in submitting a tender for this works, please read the Tender Document and complete the Approved Contractors Questionnaire. These should then be submitted, alongside your quotation and all relevant documents to admin@lowestofttowncouncil.gov.uk.
The deadline for submitting documents is 3rd March 2025.
Contracts Finder: https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/9c9d95c3-79c8-415a-8da8-661dfd117baa
Holocaust Memorial Day, the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau and the arrival of the Kindertransport to Lowestoft marked in Lowestoft
On Monday 27th January, an overwhelming number of people gathered at events across Lowestoft to commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day.
Three poignant events took place throughout the day, organised by Lowestoft Town Council and supported by the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, to make this year’s commemorations the largest yet.
This year’s events saw contributions from Professor Lawrence Goldman (representing Norwich Synagogue), Ormiston Denes Academy, Benjamin Britten High School, East Point Academy and Red Oak Primary School with music from Da Marjanbo, a Hebrew four-piece instrumental band. Support for the events was also provided by the three venues (East Coast Cinema, Lowestoft Railway Station, Kensington Gardens Café and the Friends of Kensington Gardens), and East Suffolk Lines with their discounted travel fares.
A spokesperson for Lowestoft Town Council said “Lowestoft Town Council would like to thank everyone who came along and contributed to our Holocaust Memorial Day commemorations. This is a significant event in our calendar that has grown since the Town Council started leading the event eight years ago.
"With this year’s events receiving more national coverage in part due to the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the planning for our events in Lowestoft have been a long time in the making as we aimed to make this poignant event inclusive. We are very pleased with the turn out this year as we expanded our number of events to give more opportunities for local people to gather and reflect.”
Each element of this year’s commemoration had its own focus with the main event taking place at East Coast
Cinema. Here the audience reflected on the Holocaust with Professor Lawrence Goldman delivering a moving story of Miriam, a relative of Professor Goldman’s who escaped from Poland to Jamaica due to the persecution of Jewish people in Auschwitz. Da Marjanbo followed this, providing emotive music, welcoming the chance to express a range of Hebrew prayers through instrumental music. The event then moved to Lowestoft Railway Station where reflections and poems to remember Lowestoft’s link to the Kindertransport were read and wreathes were laid. In the afternoon, Kensington Gardens hosted an event where Red Oak Primary school children read 
out personal reflections and placed 80 decoration candles around the Holocaust Memorial flower bed. Each candle marked the 80 years since the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau.
Later at 8pm, local people were encouraged by the Town Council to join with the nation in lighting a candle and placing it in their window as part of the “Light the Darkness” campaign.
The Mayor, Cllr Nasima Begum, expressed thanks to all who had attended. She said “the Town Council has worked hard to make the day as inclusive as possible to all, specifically inviting members of the Jewish
Community to take leading roles in the day’s events, bringing the experience of Hebrew music to a new audience and enabling school children to learn and understand more about what happened in their town as well as asking people to recognise more recent genocides, something I know is supported by the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust. As usual, the Town Council welcomes comments and will build these into the planning of future events”.
On the significance of Holocaust Memorial Day, the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust said on social media, “Holocaust Memorial Day shows us where prejudice can lead when it is normalised and encouraged. On this day we remember the six million Jews murdered during the Holocaust. We also commemorate the millions more people murdered through the Nazi persecution of other groups, and in the more recent genocides recognised by the UK government, and the genocide in Darfur. Prejudice has not ended and there is much to do to create a better future.”
Read more on Holocaust Memorial Day Commemorated in Lowestoft
A new memorial plaque is to be unveiled on Lowestoft’s South Pier to commemorate the 60th anniversary of a lost fishing trawler.
Commissioned by Lowestoft Town Council, the plaque will name the nine crew members who lost their lives when the Boston Pionair was lost at sea in February 1965.
The Boston Pionair, under the hand of skipper Brian Moyse, left Lowestoft on 6th February 1965. When no word was heard from the crew on 14th February, a large-scale search operation was conducted in the North Sea before the boat and its nine-strong crew were pronounced lost at sea.
To mark this occasion, the Boston Pionair memorial plaque will be unveiled at 1:30pm on Thursday 6th February. All are welcome to attend.
Ahead of the unveiling, all are welcome to go to the United Reformed Church, London Road North from 10am-12noon for refreshments and the chance to see a display, courtesy of Lowestoft Maritime Museum.
This plaque is the latest in a series of similar plaques commissioned by Lowestoft Town Council to remember some of the tragedies encountered throughout Lowestoft’s maritime heritage. Other commissioned plaques have commemorated the “Guava”, “Reclaim” and everyone who took part in Operation Dynamo.
The project to bring the Town Hall back into community use has received a further funding boost thanks to an increase in funding support from East Suffolk Council which further strengthens their commitment to supporting Lowestoft Town Council to bring this building back to life.
This decision, approved by East Suffolk Council's Cabinet, sees East Suffolk Council budget for an additional £300,000, increasing their direct investment to £1,2million. This follows the recent news by the National Lottery Heritage Fund to provide a total of £4,457,512 of funding towards the project.
With this funding now in place, work on the building is set to begin in February 2025 with the Town Hall reopening in Summer 2026.
The work will see the Town Hall renovated with provision for a compelling and innovative heritage hub, gallery space with a changing programme of exhibitions and events, wedding and reception venue with catering facilities, co-working space for sole traders and small businesses, a café, and additional community event space. Improving the accessibility to the Town Hall is included within the plans with a more open reception area, accessible toilet facilities, including a Changing Places room and a lift. The Town Hall will also become the home for Lowestoft Town Council, hosting the Council meetings and staff offices and Suffolk Registrars.
Cllr Nasima Begum, Mayor of Lowestoft said “I wish to thank East Suffolk Council for agreeing to provide further support to the Town Hall regeneration. We are at a very exciting stage of the project with work due to begin within the next month and this additional support will help bring this iconic building back into public use.”
Cllr Caroline Topping, Leader of East Suffolk Council and Heritage Champion, said: “A lot of effort has already gone into this project to bring Lowestoft Town Hall back into use as a community asset and heritage venue.
“Alongside an additional grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, East Suffolk Council’s contribution will help to meet funding targets and take this transformational project forward. We look forward to seeing the building open to the public once again.”
The Lowestoft Town Hall Project is a Lowestoft Town Council initiative supported by National Lottery players via The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Other significant funders for the regeneration include Towns Fund and East Suffolk Council.
Read more on Further Funding Boost To Town Hall Project As Major Works To Start Next Month
Lowestoft Town Council is delighted to announce that the Town Hall regeneration project has successfully secured a grant increase from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
The increased award will see an additional £1.2million in grant funding to help revitalise the iconic Town Hall and bring it back into community use. This follows on from the initial grant of £3,257,512 from the Heritage Fund announced in September 2023, bringing the total funding to £4,457,512.
Cllr Nasima Begum, Mayor of Lowestoft said “I am delighted that The National Lottery Heritage Fund have increased their support to help bring the Town Hall back into use. It is fitting that this announcement comes on the Heritage Fund’s Heritage Treasures Day as we aim to restore our own heritage treasure, which holds such a special place for so many local people. On behalf of Lowestoft Town Council, I wish to thank everyone who has contributed to this project by responding to consultations, engaging with our heritage events and through bringing their expertise and passion.”
Robyn Llewellyn, Director, England, Midlands and East at The National Lottery Heritage Fund said: “We’re excited to be supporting Lowestoft Town Council with a significant grant to transform the Town Hall. Thanks to National Lottery players and total funding of nearly £4.5million, the communities of Lowestoft and beyond are seeing a local landmark be revitalised into a bustling community space.”
With this funding now in place, and with the support of other funders, work on the building is set to begin in February 2025 with the Town Hall reopening in Summer 2026.
The work will see the Town Hall renovated with provision for a compelling and innovative heritage hub, gallery space with a changing programme of exhibitions and events, wedding and reception venue with catering facilities, co-working space for sole traders and small businesses, a café, and additional community event space. Improving the accessibility to the Town Hall is included within the plans with a more open reception area, accessible toilet facilities, including a Changing Places room and a lift. The Town Hall will also become the home for Lowestoft Town Council, hosting the Council meetings and staff offices and Suffolk Registrars.
The Lowestoft Town Hall Project is a Lowestoft Town Council initiative supported by National Lottery players via The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Other significant funders for the regeneration include Towns Fund and East Suffolk Council.
Read more on Town Hall Project receives further funding from National Lottery
From everyone at Lowestoft Town Council, we wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, however you choose to celebrate it.
Please note that the Town Council Offices will be closed today (Friday 20th December) from 5pm until Thursday 2nd January 2024 at 9am.
During the festive period, we hope that you will continue to enjoy our parks and facilities. The tennis courts will remain open during this period and can be booked online: https://www.lta.org.uk/play/book-a-tennis-court/
If you need to contact the Town Council in an emergency during this period please call us on 0330 053 6019 and leave a message. Messages received will be monitored regularly alongside our admin@lowestofttowncouncil.gov.uk email address.
Any incidents of anti-social behaviour or vandalism should be reported to Suffolk Police on 101.
