At the Annual Full Council meeting held on Wednesday, May 11, 2022, Mohammed Nawaz, Labour Councillor for Kempston Central & East was appointed Speaker of Bedford Borough Council.
First elected in 2011, Mohammed is now in his third term as a Borough Councillor. He is presently Vice-Chair of the Corporate & Budget Overview & Scrutiny Committee, and also sits on the Adult Services Overview & Scrutiny Committee. He is a member of Bedfordshire Police & Crime Panel.
Nominating Councillor Nawaz, Councillor Sue Oliver, Bedford Borough Labour Group Leader, said: “He has been a Councillor for eleven years and during that time has gained in knowledge and confidence.
“Within the Labour Group he has held the roles of Whip and has been practising his Chairing skills as our Group Chair for the last year.
He was also Chair of Audit and Standards committees from 2019-21. Cllr Nawaz is always willing to take on responsibility and proved that he is able to learn from each experience”.
Seconding the nomination, Bedford Borough Labour Group Carl Meader added “I have known Mohammed for many years, both as a Borough Councillor and a Kempston Town Councillor.
“He is very sociable and amenable, and just an all-round nice guy which will stand him in good stead. I’m delighted Mohammed will be Speaker for the coming year and I know he will represent this council to the best of his ability.”
Councillor Nawaz said, “It is an honour and privilege to be elected Speaker of Bedford Borough Council. I look forward to meeting lots of Bedford Borough residents over the course of the next year.”
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