ROBES were swapped, declarations were signed and a new mayor of Okehampton stepped into office last week. After an eventful year in office, Cllr Tony Leech handed over the mayoral robes and pledged his full support to councillor Kay Bickley. Cllr Leech commented on an eventful year for Okehampton, that saw the cancellation of the Okehampton Show, the fight to save the Ockment Centre, the bid to run a new primary school, the closure of the railway and the proposals for further development in Okehampton. This year also saw history made, as it was the first time the mayors from Okehampton, Hatherleigh and Tavistock have worked together in an official capacity. Cllr Leech said: 'It's been an interesting year and an absolute privilege to be mayor of Okehampton. 'During my time as mayor I've tried to promote as many charities as possible and more than £600 has been raised to split between the Ockment Centre, Breast Cancer Awareness and the Okehampton College Big Band. 'One of the best successes is that it's the first time in the town's history the three mayors have come together. 'We hope our letter regarding the proposed development in West Devon will have a cascade effect and the Government will now have to take notice of what is a disastrous housing strategy for the rural community.' 'As a town councillor i hope to continue working on all of these issues and I give my full backing to Cllr Kay Bickley.' Okehampton's new mayor has been a town councillor since 2005. She spent 22 years working in education, as a headteacher in London and later as a school inspector. Alongside her husband John, she now runs Upcott House in Okehampton as well as being a Central Devon magistrate for adult and youth courts. Said Cllr Bickley: 'I am very honoured to be elected mayor of Okehampton. There are a number of experienced councillors who have lived and worked in the community for far longer than I have and I'm privileged to work with them. 'Continuity is important as is learning from others. The town council has a good balance and represents everyone who is out there. We bring a good range of skills and knowledge to the table. 'I have a passion for keeping our community safe and I have a fierce sense of social justice. We are raising issues of concern with the police on a regular basis. 'We are working to try and install CCTV in the town and park. I hope that after two years of looking at these suggestions we will soon be able to install them.' Cllr Bickley said Okehampton was a diverse and changing community and the town council had the ability to play a part in change. 'There is a need for local housing for local people but affordable housing is just not affordable for our youngsters,' said Cllr Bickley. 'I am mindful of the stats that nearly 455 of household incomes skirt the poverty line. This is rural poverty in our midst. We need local services for local people.' Cllr Bickley said this year she would be supporting the formation of a Food Bank in Okehampton as her charity. She also praised the links Okehampton has with Europe and is looking forward to welcoming a delegation from Craon later this year. The mayor choosing saw Cllr Bickley's previous position as deputy mayor filled by David Weekes who said: 'If people say you can't do it, then you do your best to prove you can.'
