‘A LOT has been achieved, but there is a great deal of work to be done’ Tavistock Town Mayor Cllr Paul Ward told visitors to the annual town meeting.

The mayor provided an insight into what the town council had been working on over the past 12 months, highlighting it had been a ‘demanding’ time with increased financial constraints and demand on resources.

‘The last 12 months has been a demanding time for your council as it has worked hard to do more for the town,’ he said. ‘A lot has been achieved, but there is a great deal of work to be done over the next few years by the new council. With so many significant projects, the demands upon the council resources, including money, people and time, are considerable. We need to be realistic about how much we can do and prioritise what is most important.’

He highlighted what had been achieved over the past 12 months, including the refurbishment and reopening of the Butchers’ Hall, improvements to the pannier market surround and progressing with the Guildhall Gateway Centre project, among other things.

He pointed out that local government elections would be taking place on May 2, bringing in new members to the council who would have ‘new thoughts and ideas’.

‘Much has been achieved over the past year and throughout this council’s term. It will be a challenge to deliver the ambitious programme the council has agreed for the next few years, but it remains committed to achieving lasting benefits for the citizens of Tavistock.

‘At a personal level I would like to take this opportunity to thank the officers and staff of the council, and my fellow councillors, who have supported me in my role as mayor during this civic year. It is a great privilege to be elected to serve the town as mayor and to work with such a great team of committed people. To those councillors who have decided not to stand again, I would like to say thank you for the service you have given to the town. You have all contributed to the work of the council in different ways and I wish you well for the future. In early May a new council will be elected and there will be some new face around the table. I wish all those elected a successful and enjoyable term of office.’

Visitors to the meeting were also given an update on the council’s financial affairs by deputy mayor Cllr Anne Johnson.

She highlighted that over the past 12 months the council had continued to administer the £2.2-million Heritage Lottery Fund Townscape Heritage Initiative Scheme; secured the round two offer of grant funding for the Guildhall Gateway Centre project of £817,800; resurfaced the play area in the Meadows at a cost of around £50,000; invested in additional works improved the pannier market including glazed doors, heating installation and toilet refurbishment at a cost of over £200,000 and awarded numerous grants to support local community activities.

She said going forward the council would be looking to ‘begin to consolidate financially and build reserves’; carry out improvements to Guildhall Square; continue to plan for an extension to the cemetery; raise a loan of around £400,000 from the Public Works Loan Board toward the Guildhall project and continue to closely manage the finances of the council ensuring it is both a fair creditor and debtor.

Cllr Johnson said: ‘Your town council continues to be one of the few councils in the country which successfully subsidises services to the local taxpayer. It raises more than half of its income from commercial activities and continues to work hard to maximise this income.

‘In a difficult economic climate we cannot expect that level of external funding to continue unaffected. However, we are committed to exploring all avenues to drive down cost and increase income.

‘Looking ahead, the next few years are likely to be financially challenging as we build our reserves and demands on council time and resources grow. However, we remain committed to doing the best we can for Tavistock, both now and for the long term and providing relevant and value for money council services to our community.’