CCTV, toilets, beach huts and the library were the hot topics discussed by Cornwall Councillor David Parsons at the annual town meeting in Bude last Thursday.

The subject of CCTV in Bude has been at the forefront of discussions between councillors and the police recently as a means of the town helping to cover cuts to the police department.

As the chairman of the Bude Community CCTV Project, Cllr Parsons said: "We know the cuts to the police are not the fault of the local police department, so there's no point in blaming them.

"We need the CCTV system updated drastically to cover the cuts to help with policing in the town.

"Thanks to PC South, the neighbourhood beat manager, for bending the ear of the police commissioner Tony Hogg when he visited recently about getting some help towards improving the current system."

PC Stephen South added that the older cameras are not really fit for purpose and explained how the new high-resolution cameras have a lot of advantages in terms of the distance they can cover as well as their infra-red aspect that allows them to get clearer images in the dark.

Cllr Parsons spoke of a recent telephone conference he was part of where Mr Hogg's chief executive agreed with Cllr Parsons' request for two new high-resolution cameras but added conditions that will be discussed at a CCTV meeting in the coming weeks.

Cllr Parsons also explained how he has asked for some extra budget for training volunteer CCTV operators as well as some funds to sit as a failsafe in case any incidents occur where they need to utilise it.

In the ongoing campaign to bring more CCTV cameras to the town, Cllr Parsons gave thanks to two residents for funding and mounting a new camera to their property, giving coverage of Belle Vue and Princes Street at the top of the town.

He said: "It's a really kind act that is completely public spirited and these cameras aren't cheap. The camera is linked up to our CCTV system that the police and council are able to use which is a big help."

Cllr Peter Moores said he would like to see more contributions from late night licence buildings towards CCTV cost.

For the full report, and a round-up of the area news and sport, see this week's edition of the Post.