A PLEA for more people to join Okehampton Town Council, and a warning about the likely future levels of building in the town, formed the focus of Cllr Tony Leech's speech as he was invested as the new mayor of Okehampton last week. The town's council is usually made up of 14 members, including the mayor, but currently has only ten members, after four councillors resigned at the last election, and not enough people came forward to be elected to office. The remaining ten councillors therefore had to be reinstated for the coming year without any election. 'As a body we would like to promote the town council and get younger people involved in their community,' Cllr Leech said at the mayor-choosing ceremony. Okehampton's councillors shared their new mayor's concerns about the lack of seats filled on the council. Cllr Patricia Jones said: 'I think it's appalling that in a town of seven thousand people we can't manage to find fourteen people who will volunteer and take responsibility for their town. People are quick enough to complain about things.' Cllr Leech was also chosen as mayor without an election, as the only person willing to take up the office. He said: 'I had no ambitions at all to take on the role of mayor again. I only put my name forward for the sake of competition.' Cllr Leech stressed the importance of the council taking Okehampton issues forward with a unanimous voice over the coming year. He cautioned the audience at the mayor-choosing ceremony: 'The one thing we cannot do is control the number of houses that we have here in Okehampton. That's set by government.' But, warning that the town might have to see thousands of new homes over coming years, he stressed the role that the council can play in ensuring the town receives those facilities that should go hand-in-hand with new developments: things such as new roads, educational facilities, medical services and green spaces. Cllr Leech also took time in his speech to congratulate the army on their handling of the Ten Tors evacuation. 'I want to thank them for a wonderful job,' he said, adding that he was particularly looking forward to opening next year's event. Cllr Frances Luxton, who bowed out as the town's mayor at the ceremony, opened this year's Ten Tors weekend. She said: 'I've met such wonderful people. I hope I've flown the flag for Okehampton. It's such a generous place.' Mrs Luxton has been a member of the town council for eight years. Also retiring from service this year is the caretaker of Okehampton Town Hall, Graham Smith, who has worked for numerous councils in the town over the last 46 years. He was presented with a Widgery print at the mayor choosing ceremony, as a token of thanks for his many years of service to the town.
