A LONG-serving town councillor and former mayor has decided to step down from his local authority after 15 years dedicated to his community.

Hugo Herbert-Jones announced his retirement from Aldeburgh Town Council at a meeting on Monday night. He served as mayor in 2007/08 and sits on committees including planning and finance and general purposes.

Mr Herbert-Jones’ last meeting will be in October - rounding off 15 years of service.

He told Monday’s meeting: “When I was first co-opted onto this council I thought that five years might be right. Now I’m about to round off 15. The only survivor from that time is councillor [Andrew] Harris, who was then town clerk.

“Many years ago, when I was first fired from a job because of cuts, my boss said to me, ‘you’re doing magnificent work but can be spared’. I hope that will also be said of me when I leave this council. If it’s agreeable I would like to attend one more meeting in October so that I will complete my 15 years which I have very much enjoyed.”

Current mayor Peter Cox paid tribute to Mr Herbert-Jones for his hard work and dedication to the council and said he would be very sadly missed. Councillor Julian Worster added that Mr Herbert-Jones had agreed to be a “father figure” for the town council’s planning committee - offering the benefit of his experience whenever necessary.