10:20am Saturday 2nd June 2012
By Greg Fountain
Penryn town mayor, Gill Grant, was sworn in for a second term at the annual mayor choosing ceremony earlier this month.
More than 90 people attended the event, held at the town hall on May 17, which also welcomed councillor Beverly Hulme as deputy mayor.
This marks the 13th year a female mayor has led Penryn Town Council, with the duty being shared between councillors Mary May, Vicky Bennett and mayor Grant in that time.
Councillor Grant began by thanking the former town clerk, Kevin Paul, for all his hard work prior to his retirement in September and said how lucky the council were to have found their new clerk, Michelle Davey.
She then spoke of the council’s taking over of the town’s One Stop Shop and the opening of the pontoons on Exchequer Quay, calling both these events “localism in action.”
“The buzz word is localism and over the next few years we will see more services pass down to the town councils. This will be challenging,” she said.
The recent refurbishment of the Temperance Hall and its subsequent flooding was mentioned, as was the introduction of a parking permit scheme in Shute Meadow car park.
Looking to the future, Mrs Grant said links between the town council, the schools and the university would be maintained and strengthened, while financial contributions received as part of recent supermarket developments would go towards transport improvements, open spaces and an arts festival to be held next year.
Celebrations to be held for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee were also outlined, including a free street party on June 4.
“Personally, I have had a challenging year,” Mrs Grant said.
“It has been an honour to represent Penryn and a huge privilege to be at Exeter University on the May 2 when the Queen opened the new Forum building.”
Mrs Grant thanked her fellow councillors and office staff for all their hard work over the past year and sent her thanks to Father John Harris of St Gluvias Parish Church, who retired in January after nearly 18 years in the town.
Incoming deputy mayor, councillor Beverly Hulme, added: “I’m really interested in developing more links with the university – I think it will tie in very well with the future of Penryn.”
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