A familiar face has been confirmed as the winner of a council by-election.
Laurence Goff has been elected as a Labour councillor representing the Magnus Ward on Newark Town Council.
An opening on the council became available in March, after councillor and then Mayor of Newark Pamela Ball made the decision to step down from the council for health reasons.
Laurence only retired from politics last May after previously serving as a councillor in Newark since 2004, and was even Mayor of Newark between 2022 and 2023.
His love for the town meant he remained a regular face at council meetings over the past year, leaving him eager to get involved again.
Emotional about his victory, he saying: “I wasn’t expecting this, it’s been a bit of a roller coaster few weeks.
“I feel honoured and privileged to be standing for the town council once again.
“I will do my utmost to serve the people whole-heartedly for the next three years.
Laurence is well known in the Newark popping up at events through his work with the community first aid and is also a keen fundraising, with a current passion of helping to make sure a landmark Lancaster Bomber sculpture is completes.
Vote share (Magnus Ward, Newark Town Council):
• Laurence Goff, Labour: 327
• Stephen Pearson, Local Conservatives: 135
• Anna Maria Rutkowska, Independents for Newark: 131
The vote took place during the local elections on Thursday (May 2), with results from the votes to select the next Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner, and the first ever Mayor of the East Midlands, expected to be announced this evening or tomorrow.
