THE OUTGOING mayor of Bude and Stratton, Peter Moores, has expressed his gratitude and appreciation to his fellow town councillors, town council staff and people from the community.

During Cllr Moores’ year as mayor of Bude-Stratton, he has had the privilege of attending many community events, meetings and other functions in his role. At the recent annual town meeting, Cllr Moores was unable to attend due to other commitments. However, in his absence, deputy mayor Lea Deely chaired the meeting, and said on behalf of the mayor: “The authority has continued to function, thanks to certain key members of staff, in an efficient manner over the last year. Despite the commitment to absorb a number of services previously undertaken by Cornwall Council, I am pleased to say that the rise in council tax payable to Bude-Stratton Town Council this year, was limited to the rate of inflation.”

Aside from routine maintenance in the area, major projects undertaken by the town council this year have included the replacement of the pitch ‘n putt building, the re-lacquering of the Bude Light, the enhancement of the outside seating area of Café Limelight, the re-surfacing of the parking area outside the Neetside Community Centre, securing the provision of a library service in Bude, maintaining the provision of public conveniences, and an agreement to enter into a 30-year lease with Bude Croquet Club for some of the area once used as grass tennis courts on Summerleaze Downs.

The meeting heard that the town council has also awarded a number of grants to community organisations from its grants budget, with a grant of £150 each going to Bude Youth Theatre, Bude Jazz Festival, Bude Carnival, Bude Metric Brass, Bude at War, Christians Together, Exercising for Mobility, BITS, Connect Bude, the Twinning Association, Bude Pilot Gig Club, Blend Youth Collective and Bude Folk Festival. A grant of £138.25 was presented to Bude Town Band.

Cllr Moores added: “I sincerely express gratitude to groups and individuals who give their time for the benefit of the community as a whole. Some examples which come to mind are Light up Bude, Friends of Bude Sea Pool, A Greener Bude, Friends of the Earth, Bude Canal and Harbour Society, Connect Bude, the organisers of the Bude at War weekend and the many people I regularly see litter picking on the local beaches.

“The members of outdoor staff deserve praise for their efforts in maintaining, to a high standard, the land and buildings which are owned by this authority. I also thank all members of administrative and Heritage Centre staff, past and present, for their conscientiousness and support to myself.

“In closing, I express my gratitude to all fellow members for all they have done in the last year, particularly to the chairman of the various committees.”