BRIDGWATER Town Council has unveiled its new structure to deal with an increase of responsibility brought about by a devolution deal with Somerset Council.

As well as taking on several services and responsibilities, the town council now has an in-house workforce of 70 people, considerably up from the three which it had in 2016.

The new look town council will now feature three directorates for service delivery -  Finance, Amenities and Community - and is reportedly financially 'raring to go'.

The re-shuffle of positions sees Cllr Jacqui Solomon as the new Mayor of Bridgwater, with Cllr Kathy Pearce as deputy Mayor.

Cllr Brian Smedley has been re-elected as leader of the council and new Community Services Committee chair, with Cllr Irena Hubble as vice-chair, and Rob Semple as director.

David Mears remains as CEO and Town Clerk of Bridgwater Town Council, whilst Cllr Tim Mander will become chair of the Amenities Committee.

The Finance and Corporate Services director will be Sally Jones, and chair of the committee will be outgoing Mayor Cllr Mick Lerry - his vice chair will be Cllr Jacqui Solomon.

Read more: Somerset Council agrees devolution deal with Bridgwater Town Council

Speaking on the devolution deal, deputy Mayor Cllr Kathy Pearce said: "Bridgwater Town Council can now take back control of services. 

"We are starting our new grass cutting and street cleaning schedules and are already being able to be more responsive when calls come in.  

"So, we are confident that residents will see an improvement in our surroundings in the long term.

"However, in the short term, we are dealing with a backlog, so please bear with us whilst we get up to speed.”

Cllr Brian Smedley said: “Bridgwater has grown in terms of housing and employment over the last decade and is continuing to grow.

"We have had the ambition to take over parks and open spaces and to improve street cleaning and that ambition has been realised.

"Bridgwater Town Council is now running our own services, and owning our own assets.

"It naturally follows we are also now accountable for those local services too.

"Our main focus will be the people of Bridgwater - our community - and we will continue to operate and expand our forum system whereby people can get involved in setting the key priorities for the town.”