BRIDGWATER Town Council had its first meeting since the local elections last week, setting the agenda for its work over the next four years.

Cllr Brian Smedley will remain as leader of the town council, while Cllr Tony Heywood is set to take over as mayor, with the official mayor-making ceremony set to take place on Friday, May 24 at the Town Hall.

Cllr Smedley set out a new way for the council to work going forward with a new eight person Policy and Finance Executive.

He said: "The Executive will consist of myself with the Policy and Finance brief, plus the mayor in his ambassadorial role to promote the town.

"Our two senior portfolios will include an upgraded Community role, which will be undertaken by Deputy Leader Kathy Pearce and will include Environment, Waterways, Heritage and green spaces.

"The other portfolio will be for the Economy, which will be fronted by Cllr Mick Lerry and will focus on not just the current town centre and working with business but will include the wider world of work around the town and especially within our own council which we want to build up and take forward to play a major role in the looming unitary debate."

Cllr Glen Burrows, who has been heavily involved with the work of the Friends of Bridgwater Station, will take on the role of Property and Transport portfolio holder and chair the Transport Forum, while Cllr Leigh Redman will retain his role as nuclear spokesman as well being portfolio holder for public halls.

The final portfolios will be for Youth, which will be held by Cllr Diogo Rodrigues, and Climate Change which has been allocated to Cllr Li Gibson.

Following the local elections on Thursday, May 2, the town council consists of 12 Labour councillors and four Conservatives who will provide opposition to hold the executive to account.

Cllr Smedley concluded: “All our town meetings are open.

"We will always start the Full Council meetings with a police presence so that they are open to question and we want people to step forward and join our forums.

"To this end we are publishing the whole years set of meeting dates."

To view the meeting dates for 2019/20 visit bridgwatertowncouncil.gov.uk.