A Norfolk town council has welcomed a new member who said she wants “the best” for her area.

Kendra Cogman, who has lived in Dereham for more than 12 years, was co-opted by unanimous vote onto the council on Tuesday.

Ms Cogman, a Labour member, said in her pitch to the council: “I want the best for Dereham.

“I’d like to be involved in keeping what works for us already and also to be a part of making the most of opportunities for positive change.

“I think that’s particularly important at the moment - hopefully, post-pandemic - because there will be a lot of opportunities that we don’t want to miss, in order to make improvements and bring people together and to make the council, and politics with a small ‘p'... More accessible to a wider audience."

Professionally, Ms Cogman works as a regional officer with the National Education Union and previously taught in a west Norfolk primary school. She has also volunteered as an independent visitor to a child in foster care.

With an ecology degree, the self-described “40-something-year-old mum-of-one” said she had been involved with wildlife trusts and cares “very much for the environment”.

Ms Cogman, who grew up in Suffolk, said she moved to Dereham as a single, young woman but now has a daughter, and a husband who recently started a local business.

Eastern Daily Press: Councillors Alan and Kay Grey resigned from the town council in January.Councillors Alan and Kay Grey resigned from the town council in January. (Image: Archant © 2017)

Ms Cogman was the only person to put herself forward for the role, following the January resignations of Kay and Alan Grey. The second vacancy is yet to be co-opted.

Eastern Daily Press: Former mayor Hilary Bushell resigned from the town council in February.Former mayor Hilary Bushell resigned from the town council in February. (Image: Archant 2017)

Former mayor Hilary Bushell’s February resignation left a third vacancy. If fewer than 10 requests for a by-election to replace her are received by Breckland District Council by March 16, then Dereham Town Council will co-opt a third new member.

Residents interested in being co-opted to fill the second vacancy should contact Dereham Town Council at generalenquiries@derehamtowncouncil.org or on 01362 693821.

Voters in Dereham Neatherd requesting a by-election to replace Hilary Bushell should write to The Returning Officer, Breckland Council, Elizabeth House, Walpole Loke, Dereham, Norfolk, NR19 1EE.