IN HIS 'new year message' the Mayor of Holsworthy, Cllr David Smith said councillors needed to work together for the benefit of the community and leave any animosity behind.

At a meeting of the full council on Wednesday, January 7, Cllr Smith said the new year was a time for optimism and also a time for reflection of the past year.

He said: "We at Holswor­thy Town Council have not actually covered ourselves in glory in the last year." He said that the council had received "bad press" which had been "largely justified."

Cllr Smith believed the problems within the council could be attributed to "failures of communication" and "a lack of understanding of the town council, who make policies, and the paid employees who are paid to implement those policies."

He said it was "strange" how he felt he received more help and co-operation from Torridge District councillors and officers "than those sat around this table."

The Mayor concluded: "We must face the future together and work together for the benefit of the whole community." He said they should leave any animosity behind.