Haverhill Town Council

Councillor Lora Miller-Jones named as new Haverhill Mayor

Joseph Dexter — Tue, 12 May 2026 08:25:43 +0000

We are delighted to announce that Councillor Lora Miller-Jones has been elected by her fellow councillors as the new Mayor of Haverhill.

A special thank you goes to Councillor Quinn Cox following his tenure as Mayor.

How you can help Haverhill Town Council win a £1,000 donation towards our community events

Joseph Dexter — Mon, 11 May 2026 12:47:38 +0000

Do you shop at Tesco? If so, you could help us win a £1,000 donation which will go towards expanding our community events – and it won’t cost you a penny extra!

Please join easyfundraising and every time you shop online, Haverhill Town Council will receive a cashback donation.

The best bit? It comes from the retailer you shop with at no extra cost to you.

We’d love to have your support! You can join as our supporter via the link below – it takes a couple of minutes.

Once done, if you shop with Tesco or F&F Clothing this month via easyfundraising’s website or app, we get a cashback donation AND we enter a draw to win a £1,000 bonus, thanks to the Tesco Community Pledge.

Entry closes on Sunday 31 May.

Haverhill Town Council to support Scotty’s Little Soldiers during this year’s Armed Forces Day

Joseph Dexter — Mon, 11 May 2026 09:00:55 +0000

We are proud to announce that we will be collecting money in support of Scotty’s Little Soldiers during this year’s Armed Forces Day on Saturday 27 June.

Scotty’s Little Soldiers is a charity dedicated to supporting bereaved military children and young people.

Inspired by the experience of Army widow Nikki Scott, the charity honours husband Corporal Lee Scott’s memory – both as a loyal soldier and a loving father – and provides a practical yet personal way for the public at large to show their appreciation for those brave individuals who make the ultimate sacrifice in the service of their country.

New job vacancy – Town Centre Manager

Sara — Tue, 07 Apr 2026 12:22:53 +0000

Town Centre Manager Vacancy

Pro-rata 22.5 hours per week, £33,000

Overall Responsibilities:

Haverhill is a growing town in Suffolk providing an attractive place to live and work. Accepting that British High Streets have to change to survive, we need active engagement with businesses to help them survive and grow, attract new businesses that contribute to the marketing mix and ensure the actions of the local councils take into account the views of business owners.

Haverhill Town Council and West Suffolk District Council are looking for a dynamic person to carry out this role.

You will be self-motivated, task orientated with a passion to succeed, have excellent interpersonal & communication skills, tact and diplomacy & project management experience. The post will be demanding but varied and is not a job for the fainthearted. Whilst employed by the town council the post holder is required to primarily be the agent of Haverhill businesses collectively.

We are an equal-opportunities employer and are keen to ensure Haverhill Town Council reflects the local population it serves. Please complete the application form and send to hr@haverhill-tc.gov.uk

Applications close on 21st April.

Applications will only be considered with completed application forms attached. CV are not accepted.

West Suffolk Council offers support to households at risk of significant fuel hardship

Joseph Dexter — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 09:17:24 +0000

Households that are experiencing or at risk of significant fuel hardship are being targeted for support by a West Suffolk Council service.

The council’s Financial Inclusion Service will be contacting over 2,000 low-income households that it has identified as likely to be experiencing or at risk of significant fuel hardship. It will be working to maximise their income and direct them to all means of suitable help.

The conflict with Iran has seen oil prices surge – the Government has announced that over £50 million of support to help for low-income households with the extra cost.  In Suffolk that support is to be distributed by Suffolk County Council through its Crisis and Resilience Fund which starts on Wednesday 1 April.

Residents who require immediate support may be eligible for help with heating costs through the existing Local Welfare Assistance Scheme (LWAS) with priority being given to fuel payments, (second applications will be accepted for Heating Oil Payments).

West Suffolk Council’s Financial Inclusion Service can help households check if they are getting all the support that they can.

Cllr Donna Higgins, Cabinet Member for Families and Communities at West Suffolk Council said: “I know many people are anxious and worried about the impact of these price rises. That’s why we are targeting support to low-income households who we believe may be experiencing or at risk of significant fuel hardship, to see if we can boost their income and get the help they need.”

But the council recognises that other households may also need help.

How can I get help?

Residents are advised to use a benefits calculator at home such Better Off Calculator - Policy in Practice to see if there are any benefits that they are entitled to. It is completely free to use and confidential. Some unclaimed benefits may also be back dated.

West Suffolk Council is also offering a free Energy Advice Survey to homeowners, private tenants and landlords who are looking to improve their homes energy efficiency and help reduce fuel bills. They can also advise on eligibility for grants to support these works. Contact environment@westsuffolk.gov.uk to book in a visit.

Many other partner organisations can also help.

These include:

Citizens Advice West Suffolk can provide money advice support Citizens Advice West Suffolk | Free, confidential, independent advice
Realise Futures offers help with household budgeting Confidence to Deal with Everyday Household Budgeting – Realise Futures
Reach Community Projects can help with managing debt Reach Haverhill : I need help with debt

More information on cost-of-living support can be found on West Suffolk Council’s website at www.westsuffolk.gov.uk/cost-of-living These webpages also detail more on our Financial Inclusion Service. If resident need additional help they can contact our Financial Inclusion Service on 01284 757660 or at Financial Inclusion Team Enquiry Form.

May Bank Holiday 2026 Bin Changes

Joseph Dexter — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 14:59:44 +0000

This Spring the bin collection dates are changing. See the images below to see when the revised collections will be this Spring.

Debt Awareness Week

Joseph Dexter — Mon, 16 Mar 2026 10:11:51 +0000

It’s Debt Awareness Week and West Suffolk Council is tackling the stigma and highlighting the help that we and our community partners can offer to residents.

More than half of UK adults have run into problems with debt according to national support charity StepChange.

In West Suffolk, Citizens Advice, who we work closely with and support with funding, reports that it has given debt advice to 761 people between 1 March 2025 and 28 February this year.

Of those people, 82 people needed and were given further support from Citizens Advice to help them with managing a collective debt of just under £1.7m.

But it’s believed that many other people feel too ashamed to come forward for help.

Our key message for anyone in West Suffolk who is struggling with debt is, you’re not alone, speak to us.

Support is available through West Suffolk Council, our partners, and national charities.

Who can I contact?

Support is available through West Suffolk Council, our partners, and national charities.

Who can I get in contact with?

Financial Inclusion Service www.westsuffolk.gov.uk/cost-of-living

Other local help is available through Citizens Advice West Suffolk Citizens Advice West Suffolk | Free, confidential, independent advice

Reach Community Projects which operates in Haverhill and Newmarket Reach Community Projects, Haverhill | Free Debt Advice, Benefits Help & Foodbank

Newmarket Community Pantry Shop at The Racing Centre The Racing Centre Newmarket | Community Hub & Charity

Realise Futures offer courses in household budgeting - www.realisefutures.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/West-2025-26-Spring-Term-Brochure-For-web-email.pdf

Nationally support is available through StepChange StepChange Debt Charity. Free Expert Debt Help & Advice

Financial Inclusion Service

As part of Debt Awareness Week, we are also raising awareness of the help provided through our Financial Inclusion Service.

Sharon from Newmarket has debts and was struggling with living costs including weekly shopping.

The Financial Inclusion Service put her in contact with local food projects including Newmarket Community Pantry Shop, to help reduce her weekly spending and Reach Community Projects to help with her finances and debt.

Gary, another resident of West Suffolk, started working part-time without realising that would impact on his Universal Credit payments. He then discovered he was £900 behind on his rent.

“I panicked,” he said. “Then West Suffolk Council’s Financial Inclusion Service helped me apply for grants and get money off my water bills. Together we worked out how to clear the debt. I feel much better and happy to be working again.”

Linda who lives in one of our beautiful West Suffolk villages, suffers from a lung condition. A pensioner, she was so worried about falling into debt on her heating bill, she was going to bed every night at 7pm just to stay warm.

“I didn’t want to live anymore. My doctor referred me to the Financial Inclusion Service who helped me apply for grants and Attendance Allowance. That extra money has made a tremendous difference and given me peace of mind,” she said.

Tim from West Suffolk is another pension who was struggling to keep on top of everyday bills. Our Financial Inclusion Service has helped improve his situation.

“The team completed a full benefit check and found I was eligible to claim Housing Benefit. It has been very helpful and has stopped that worry,” he said.

Free activities this Easter for children from families in need of support

Joseph Dexter — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 09:41:48 +0000

Free school holiday activities are on offer to help children from families in Haverhill and across West Suffolk who need support.

The Easter holiday programme of activities is Government funded and has been coordinated by West Suffolk Council on behalf of Suffolk County Council.

It is part of the national Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme which is primarily aimed to support children who receive benefits related free school meals. It was set up to help support them during the school holidays when they may not otherwise get a hot meal.

Families with children on benefits related free school meals should have already received information through their school or college about HAF. Booking is through an online platform called Eequ at Search learning experiences · Eequ which details all the HAF activities across Suffolk. Schools have also been given information to help any parents who cannot access online to book.

Other families in West Suffolk who are ineligible for HAF but who need support, should contact the activity provider for the activities that they are interested in to ask about discretionary places. Contact details can be seen on the same Eequ link.

What's on in Haverhill?

There's plenty to enjoy in Haverhill this Easter:

Adventure Days with Explore Outdoor (Abbeycroft)
Limitless Activities with Westfield
Family Park Cooking with Explore Outdoor (Abbeycroft)
Free swim and lunch with Abbeycroft
Dough disco and music therapy with the Sunflower SEND Hub
Easter Mega Sports Camp with Prestige Sports Development
Premier Education with Clements Academy

Learn More

How do I qualify / sign up?

HAF is a national programme funded by the Department for Education and coordinated locally by West Suffolk Council on behalf of Suffolk County Council.

It is primarily targeted at children or young people who are eligible for benefits-related free school meals. Activities are free and sessions include a healthy meal and snacks. Eligible families should have already received information through their school or college about HAF in their area.

There are discretionary free places available to families with children or young people who don’t receive benefits-related free school meals, but who are struggling with the cost-of-living and suffering financial hardship, or who would otherwise be ineligible for HAF. These discretionary places are limited and will be decided by Suffolk County Council on a first come first served basis.

Learn More

What if I need help with transport?

If transport is an issue, Suffolk County Council may be able to help - families are asked to contact HAFenquiries@suffolk.gov.uk

Learn More

Share Your Culture. Share Your Food. Join the Haverhill Food Festival!

Joseph Dexter — Wed, 18 Feb 2026 11:10:22 +0000

Haverhill Food Festival
Saturday 16 May
11:00am – 3:00pm
Haverhill Market Square

Haverhill is home to a rich mix of cultures, traditions, and stories – and what better way to celebrate them than through food?

We are inviting individuals, families, community groups, and local cooks from all backgrounds to take part in the Haverhill Food Festival and showcase the food that represents their culture, heritage, and home.

Whether your roots are White British, Indian, African, Asian, European, or anywhere else in the world, we’d love you to join in.

What's involved?

Share traditional or meaningful dishes from your culture
Offer small samples for the public to taste
Celebrate heritage, family recipes, and community pride

Help with costs

To support participation, HTC may be able to help with costs related to providing food samples.

Food safety

Participants will need to have a Level 2 Food Safety & Hygiene certificate. If you don’t currently have the certificate, HTC may be able to help.

Who can take part?

Community members
Cultural and heritage groups
Home cooks and food enthusiasts
Established and emerging food businesses

Enquire using the form below:

Feel Good Suffolk

Joseph Dexter — Fri, 23 Jan 2026 11:56:50 +0000

West Suffolk Council and their leisure partners Abbeycroft are working together with other Suffolk councils, including Haverhill Town Council, to deliver the Feel Good Suffolk service. This provides free support to residents to help them get more active, manage their weight or to stop smoking – you can find out more at https://feelgoodsuffolk.co.uk. After referral, residents receive personalised support from a Feel Good Suffolk Advisor, who helps them access different programmes, adopt healthy behaviours and stay motivated.

Do you find yourself struggling to decide what to eat for dinner each evening? Or do you find it hard to find healthy meals that work for you and your family?

You’re not alone – it’s a common problem that many people face.

Feel Good Suffolk has now partnered with FiveDinners.com an online meal planning service which is already working with NHS Trusts and a number of other district councils to support over 30,000 people.

It means that every household in West Suffolk can become a premium member of Five Dinners for 2026 at no cost to them. They won’t be asked for any bank details which means they won’t be charged for using the service.

Once registered, they will receive a meal plan every week, tailored to their needs and preferences. This can be personalised for low calories, child friendly, low cost, vegetarian, gluten-free, quick and easy, menopause friendly and more. Alongside the meal plan, members receive a shopping list for the week ahead, which automatically adjusts to the number of people they are cooking for.

The idea is that through meal planning, the service can help people manage a healthy weight with nutritious meals and portion control. That in turn can also help reduce household food waste and save households money. It also helps reduce the mental load of working out what to eat for dinner each evening.

Five Dinners has been created by celebrity TV chef Theo Michaels.

You can find out more at https://feelgoodsuffolk.co.uk/healthy-weight/five-dinners.