I READ with interest the comments from one Brenda Parsons (The 'Post,' May 21) regarding the new mayoral appointment at Bude/Stratton Town Council and her remarks about secrecy. I have never met the lady but do recall that one of the reasons I joined the Council about six years ago was to see for myself if her well publicised comments over the years before that time had any substance.

I found a council in some disarray and understood some of her point of view and, in fact, I resigned in 2004 as there was little respect for the office of mayor and little hope of change while councillors remained disrespectful. At that time there were some ex-councillors around who were doing a lot of damage to the reputation of the council causing unnecessary problems and legal actions none of which were conducive to changing. This small unrepresentative vocal group caused a lot of bad press for the Council —even some of which may have been justified it was still unhelpful.

However, I was persuaded to stand again for the council about two years' ago and I am very happy to report that the council is very different from those old days and whilst there can be robust discussion there have been no cases of personal attacks nor inflammatory statements and it has been a delight to serve the people of Bude at Council meetings under this new regime. Many of the new councillors who joined the council came on with a positive attitude and it has been apparent that the changes have been successful.

True, we do not have many members of the public attending the council meetings and the Bude Town Annual Meeting was a sign that there were few people in the area willing to come along and complain about the work of the council (or perhaps had no reason to complain).

I cannot speak too highly of the manner of Councillor La Broy who during this last two years ably led the council as Mayor with a friendly authority that helped us get on with the work of trying to make things better for the people of Bude.

In May, 2009, at the election of Officers Cllr Peter Moores was nominated and such was the unity of the council to support the continuance of the good work of the last few years he was elected unopposed.

This council is facing the challenges of the local authority boundary changes and the new Unitary Authority with some optimism and a degree of unanimity exists within the council as can be seen by anyone who cares to take the trouble to attend council meetings where there is open discussion (subject to the rules in standing orders where some things are required by law to be discussed by the Members alone). Unlike national and European parliaments there is no 'gravy train' in Bude — Stratton TC and the members are simply people like me who love Bude and volunteer to give their time and energy freely to put something back into the community which has given us so much.

Poughill,

Bude.