I HOPE you are all well as we head into the summer months. It’s been a hectic few months for me, culminating in the local elections which were on May 1.

I was delighted to be returned again, with an absolute majority – 50 per cent of the vote, to represent Mevagissey and St Austell Bay for the next four years on Cornwall Council.

Given the absolute hammering that the Conservative Party took both across Cornwall and nationwide, I am humbled to be returned, particularly with such a majority, and am grateful to those who gave me their support, of all political persuasions and none, to continue being Cornwall councillor for our wonderful area.

That being said, it is now time to look forward. At the first meeting of the full council, on May 20, we saw Bodmin’s Leigh Frost elected as leader of Cornwall Council. I’ve known Leigh since his election in 2017 – he’s a good local man with a young family who I know stood to represent his community for the same reasons I stood to represent mine.

Politics is a team game and, although our politics with a big P differ in some areas, I appreciated Leigh’s conciliatory speech prior to his election and I look forward to working with him and his new Cabinet to serve the people of Cornwall over the coming years.

My first priority will be working with all like-minded councillors to ensure the council keeps running and is able to deliver its services and to support vulnerable people who need our assistance.

And I will continue to do all I can to be your local champion and deliver for our area and for Cornwall.

As ever, should anyone need my assistance with anything, they can get in touch by email at [email protected] or on 07885 277670.