TORPOINT’S new mayor has pledged to push forward with plans that will rejeuvenate the town and to make sure the Town Council looks after the needs of both young and old as it begins a new term.

Councillor Rachel Evans was sworn in as mayor during the first full meeting of the civic year, and the first to be held in person at the Council Chambers. Councillor Gary Davis will be her deputy.

Having been a member of the Town Council since 2015, Cllr Evans said she now very much appreciated the hard work that goes on behind the scenes.

Addressing the meeting, she said: “I applaud anyone that volunteers to be part of the council and I’m delighted to see new members around the table this evening.”

She added that there were still three vacancies for new members and urged anyone that follows the council’s activities with interest to consider joining the hard-working team of volunteers.

The council’s focus over the coming year would include updating and improving parks and open spaces, said Cllr Evans.

“As a community it’s vitally important that we have open spaces where not only our children can go but that we can all enjoy. The council have worked closely with the fantastic Friends of Thanckes Park team over the years and with new projects on the horizon, there will always be a need for a joined-up effort between us and the community.”

The council would keep pushing Torpoint’s Vision projects forward, said the mayor.

“The Lower Fore Street redevelopment is progressing well, following a COVID hiatus. A feasibility study is being carried out into whether a new swimming pool is a realistic possibility in Torpojnt, something I, like many people, feel would be an asset to our community.”

Cllr Evans said she wanted to make it a priority to connect with neighbouring councils on the Rame Peninsula, and felt that stronger ties would give the Peninsula a louder voice when dealing with Cornwall Council.

The new mayor spoke of wanting to improve communication in both directions between the council and its residents, and said that she would be reaching out to school councils and the town’s Youth Project.

“I also want to engage with our more senior members of the community. I know that Adult Social Care is an issue in this region, and it’s been a particularly challenging year for older people.”

Having taken over the Torpoint Library and Community Hub, the council team were working other to organise events to try and

tackle loneliness and isolation.

Bringing her first address to council members to a close, Cllr Evans paid tribute to her late mum and dad, who she said she was sure “would have been bursting with pride” to see her wearing the mayoral chains of office.