THE Bude-Stratton annual town meeting took place last Thursday, allowing the public to find out about the town council’s achievements and what is still to be done to improve the town’s infrastructure.

The meeting, held on Thursday, April 27 in the Parkhouse Centre, also gave the public an opportunity to present questions to the chairman and the town clerk, whether it was to praise the work and certain individuals or to raise concerns about how things are being delivered.

The chairman for the evening was town councillor, and deputy mayor, Alan Biggs, alongside the town clerk, Donna James. Mayor Lea Deely was otherwise occupied with council business over in Normandy, France, so was unable to attend and chair the meeting. However, she had provided her annual mayor’s report to be read during the evening.

She said that it had been an ‘eventful year’ for Bude-Stratton Town Council, having secured their position with increased staffing measures. She also touched upon the devolution fund, and was pleased that the town council had secured ownership of the toilets around the town, and are hoping to adopt the public toilets at Stratton and Poughill in due course. She added that there will be a possible devolution of the town’s library.

The meeting heard that it was hoped that the reconstruction of the pitch and putt site, along Summerleaze Road, and the Bude Light would also commence in the coming months. Anthony Fanshaw has been sent the contract for the reconstruction of the Bude Light, and once signed, work can be expected to start in May, June or July.

The councillor surgeries, which take place on the second Saturday of each month, have provided ‘an opportunity for residents to engage with the council in a positive way’, the meeting heard, and the mayor also mentioned the success of 2016’s Heritage Day, ‘despite the dreary weather’.

The mayor added: “Thanks to my fellow councillors and best wishes to those leaving the council.”