THE beginning of a new era for Minehead Town Council was hailed at the town meeting on Tuesday by newly-elected mayor Cllr Sandra Slade.

She called for “a trust to be established between us and the people of the town and one where we are all doing our best for Minehead”.

It was the first meeting of the all-Independent council since the local elections and Cllr Slade pledged: “We will not practise collective voting – each of us is free to vote as we think best on anything raised at our meetings.”

She asked the crowded meeting at Minehead Social Club to remember: “Rome wasn’t built in a day – and be patient with us as we all learn to work together for Minehead.

“Feel free to raise those matters about the town that concern you – as your councillors we are here to listen and help to the best of our ability.”

No political parties had stood at the recent elections which meant that, for the first time in many years, the town council was entirely Independent: “We are here for just one purpose – to work for the benefit of the town,” Cllr Slade said.

Topics discussed during a question-and-answer session included the possibility of a swimming pool in Minehead, which James Hassett, new chief executive of Somerset West and Taunton Council, said would cost at least £7 million to build and £250,000 to maintain.

He added: “At the moment I don’t know where that money would come from but we could undertake a cost/benefit analysis if it was something your councillors wanted to prioritise.”

Asked whether the council intended to pursue the re-opening of the derelict Clanville “secret garden” in the centre of the town, Cllr Slade said that, with other more pressing commitments, it was not a priority at the moment.