Coun Dominic Beck has taken up the post after Coun John Ireland stood down from the position. Coun Beck has been on the parish council since May 2011, when he was elected for the Wales ward as the borough youngest ever councillor. During his first year on Anston Parish Council, Coun Beck served as vice-chairman of the council’s finance committee, which he feels was an invaluable experience and laid the foundations which he can now build on as chairman. He said: “The lessons and experiences I have learnt through chairing the odd meeting of the parish council and finding my way at the town hall in Rotherham has helped me become very comfortable with my responsibilities and has enriched my passion for the areas of Rotherham I have most affinity with through my public roles, Anston and the Wales ward.” “The advice and guidance I can draw from Coun Ireland the outgoing chair and other seasoned parish councillors will prove invaluable throughout my first year as chair.” “I am very proud to live in Anston and feel very honoured to have become the parish council chairman, I am fully aware of the challenges that confront the parish council in these difficult economic times.” “The first official engagement as chairman was to host the Jubilee ‘Party on the Rec’ community event which was attended by well over 1,000 residents.” “It is fitting as one of my key objectives as chair is to increase the presence and improve communication of the parish council and the good work it does within the two villages of North and South Anston. This event certainly did that.” Coun Beck added: “For the foreseeable future I am enjoying working hard in the communities I represent and at the same time welcoming the advice I receive from other more experienced councillors from across Rotherham.” “I am proud to be from Rotherham, work in Rotherham and be an elected member in Rotherham, and anything extra that I may achieve in the future is a bonus.”