Dear Editor,

I would like to respond to the front page of last week’s edition of the paper, where a member of public questioned the low numbers of Councillors at the recent Mayor Making.

I was not in attendance myself due to a family holiday and gave my apologies accordingly back in early April. While Councillors are expected to attend events and are officially summoned to meetings, life events do happen. Councillors also give apologies based on illness or conflicting prior engagements - but must send substitutes.

I can only speak on behalf of myself, and the reason for my absence, however I do hope all other councillors, particularly those who voted the new mayor and deputy into their honoured positions, turned up to support them. I equally hope those that voted against them did in fact have genuine other commitments.

I wish Cllr Bramer and Cllr Coker well for the forthcoming year, and am particularly pleased that the new Mayor has chosen as his charity of the year Papyrus UK who work to prevent youth suicide. He will be taking a collection for them at Bands in Park on August 12th.

I would also like to congratulate newly elected Town Councillor Paul Symonds and welcome him to the East Ward. All too often election campaigns divide people but I do now hope once the dust has settled we accept the voters’ decision and move forward collectively, as a Council focusing on the town.

Finally thank you to the Gazette for printing my letter requesting stewards for July 22nd and the Ross Proms. I now have four stewards and am delighted, but if anyone else wants to help please email: [email protected]. Thank you.

Cllr H Lerego

Ross East Ward