Launceston is open for business and is a great place to live and work. That was the message from new town mayor Cllr Brian Hogan last week.

It was made at the annual mayor-choosing ceremony where Cllr Hogan took on the leading civic role from Cllr Dave Gordon.

The proposal to elect Cllr Hogan as mayor was made by Cllr Graham Facks-Martin and seconded by Cllr John Harris. Cllr Hogan and his partner, Anita White, had been deputy mayor and deputy mayoress for two years.

Cllr Hogan was born in Plymouth and moved to Cornwall 35 years ago. His father was in the Royal Navy for 30 years, and his mother was 'devoted to her family'.

He told those present at the town hall ceremony: "I make no apology for the fact that I am a glass half full type of person. One of the things my father taught me was that no one is any better than you, but you are no better than anyone else.

"I am a very good listener, I will listen to all the points of view, get all the facts before making a comment, I care about people, I care about all our futures, I care about our children's futures.

"I would like to see our towns and parishes grow in the right direction with the common aim of making them all good places to live, work and play.

"Let's all focus on the positives, let's set ourselves goals that are achievable, let's get involved if possible, let's give ourselves a pat on the back now and again. Let's give credit where credit is due. It's very easy to criticise. Solutions are the answer."

Cllr Hogan said the town council would continue to work with Cornwall Council, but he appealed to them to 'cut unnecessary red tape'.

"Make things easier, if you want agreements, let's make decisions locally that concern our communities, let's have local meetings to make decisions — not all in Truro. After all, it is our future and the future of our communities. Two words spring to mind: localism and devolution."

"All that I can promise you is that I will do my best for the town, and the community and with your help and permission I would like to send out a message to whom it may concern — Launceston is open for business, it's a great place to live and work.

"Launceston is prepared to stand up for what is right and fair."

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