COUNCILLOR Mark Smith has stepped into the history books of Callington Town Council by becoming its portreeve for the third year running.

At the town council’s portreeve choosing ceremony last Tuesday (May 22), Cllr Smith was nominated as mayor for the ‘unique’ third term.

Nominated by Cllr Andrew Long, the decision was carried unanimously by other members of the council.

‘Times are changing in Callington and it’s important to have stability in the town council,’ said Cllr Long. ‘He has done increasingly well in trying circumstances so it’s my honour to propose Cllr Smith as portreeve and mayor.’

Cllr Smith accepted the mantle for a further term: ‘When I took the role of portreeve and mayor two years ago I was humbled and honoured to accept the office. To be given the opportunity to continue on for a historic third term is a vote of confidence by which I am truly overwhelmed.’

He expressed thanks to the council staff and councillors, and town clerk Helen Dowdall, for their support over the past term which he says had been a ‘difficult year’.

‘My thanks also go out to the residents of our parish and the many other groups. Your contributions make our parish the vibrant, welcoming place that it is.’

He added: ‘As many of you know, we are faced with the challenge of shrinking financial support, and a growing demand for us to take on more services formerly handled by Cornwall Council. As ever, we will continue to fight the parish’s corner to ensure the residents’ interests are put first at all times.

‘As services are cut to the bone, we face some difficult decisions: do we challenge these cuts, knowing this may fall on deaf ears, accomplishing nothing? Or do we plan a fall-back budget so that we can maintain the quality of services that our residents expect and deserve? 

‘This sort of forward planning needs to start now, so we are not caught short when the money from Cornwall Council runs out.

‘In short we may face a rollercoaster few years ahead, but we have been through tough times before, and I am confident that we will face these challenges with the same resilience, diligence, and community spirit that always prevails within our parish.’