COUNCILLOR Alan Bradford has been re-elected for a fourth term as mayor of North Petherton.

Speaking after he had been re-elected for a fourth term as mayor, Cllr Bradford thanked his fellow councillors for their help and support over the previous 12 months.

“I think we can be proud of what we have achieved together during the last year.” he said. “The communities that make up the town council’s area face some very difficult issues at this time.

"New developments are placing extra demands on our roads and community facilities and services, at a time when the main authorities like the county and district councils are cutting back drastically on what they do. "Councils like North Petherton are being asked to step into the breach, and I am pleased that we have risen to the challenge. “

He went on to describe what had been done over the previous 12 months. “We have made a significant contribution to the cycleway into Bridgwater, we have ensured that the local library remains open and that the car park at Maunsel Lock is retained.

"We continue to supplement the street cleaning service and, indeed, are looking to do more in this area with a new contract.

"Impressive new facilities have been provided at Parkersfield playing fields and we are in the process of consulting on proposals for the Memorial field.

"We don’t achieve these things on our own, or by acting as individuals, we are a team and we work with other people to get results. We have helped with projects in Moorland, North Newton, Stockmoor and Wilstock as well as in North Petherton, and the recent success in retaining the school bus service is a striking example of what local people can do with just a little support and encouragement.”

In conclusion Cllr Bradford set out what he hoped would be achieved in the coming year.

“We must not rest on our laurels” he said. “Big challenges lie ahead, and the town council is already acting to meet these.

"We are working on our Neighbourhood Plan so that new and significant resources can be directed to where the community wants them and we are setting up a new committee so that all the interested parties in Wilstock and Stockmoor can work together to tackle the issues facing people living there.

"I am also very keen to see a new scout hut provided and for houses to be built that local people in our villages can afford to live in.

"These are hard tasks we face, and we are all volunteers, but they are important tasks and, at the end of day, when we are successful, they bring their own rewards."