THE Mayor of Dartmouth, Cllr Rob Lyon, has made an appeal for more people to stand for town council at the next local government elections in May.

Cllr Lyon says Dart­mouth needs a strong town council to take it forward as it tackles changes, challenges and seizes opportunities.

He believes the role of a democratically elected council will be vital as Dartmouth will have to look after itself more than ever in an age of financial cutbacks.

And he says he will be standing for a town council seat at next year's ballot box and is urging others to join him.

In his Christmas message to the town, Cllr Lyon writes: 'I would like to take this opportunity to wish the Dartmouth community a happy Christmas and prosperous new year.

'It has been a very busy eight months since becoming mayor and it is a great honour to represent the town.

'Part of the duties of mayor and mayoress is to meet and visit the local organisations and this has given us a great opportunity to get to know the dedicated volunteers of each club, society and festival. The welcome we have received has been so very kind and I am sure they will go from strength to strength.

'The clubs and societies are the backbone of any small town like Dartmouth and it is gratifying to know that we have a community that is strong and willing to take on all the difficulties that modern life entails.

'Part of that volunteer commitment is to become a town councillor. Here I would like to offer my grateful thanks for that commitment to my deputy mayor, Richard Cooke, all my fellow town councillors, district and county councillors, for their hard work and dedication of many hours attending meetings, reading minutes, reading reports and offering their best advice on the many and varied topics that are part of the administration of the town.

'These councillors are led by an excellent town clerk and supported by a very dedicated team in the office, my thanks to them also.

'Part of the reason for the very busy year is that local government is changing, and changing fast. Dartmouth has been in discussions and has achieved success on many different aspects of this change and trying to ensure that we can get the best deal for the town.

'As you know from press reports, there have been talks with the district council regarding park and ride, youth services, housing, street cleaning, toilets, neighbourhood plans, etc to name but a few. One thing is certain, from now on we have to look after ourselves and this is going to be quite a task for the future.

'To take on this task Dartmouth has to have a strong town council; a town council that is prepared to tackle the problems, challenges and opportunities; a town council that can shape the future and a town council that is elected by the whole community.

'To ensure that we have this election, there have to be more than 16 people who wish to stand. I will throw my hat into the ring now and say that I will be one of those people standing. Who will join me?

'Good people of Dart­mouth, think about it between now and next April and perhaps you can be part of Dartmouth's future plans.'