ILMINSTER Town Council elected a new mayor last night amid two further resignations from town councillors.

At the Annual Town Council meeting yeasterday, it was announced that both Rose Neave, who was the mayor for 2015/16, and Carol Goodall, who had previously held the role of mayor twice, would be standing down from their roles on the council.

This means that three town councillors have stepped down in the last week, after Sophie Storey announced last Tuesday that she would not be continuing in her role as councillor.

Cllr Val Keitch, who also serves on South Somerset District Council, was elected unanimously as mayor of the town, and Cllr Tony Walker was re-elected as the deputy mayor.

Mrs Neave, who had served as a councillor for two years and as mayor for one, read out an open letter at the meeting detailing why she had decided to stand down.

She said: "Please accept this letter as notice of my resignation from the Town Council with immediate effect. I hope that you realise that this was not an easy decision, but was wholly a decision that I have come to due to my personal circumstances.

"I never set out with any intention of being a big fish in a small pond. I've been on the council to do what I volunteered to do, quietly and efficiently, and get on with my job. Some people have seen that, some people have not.

"Whilst away on honeymoon, it became abundantly clear that I have not actually had chance to enjoy married life; I was elected onto the council not long after getting engaged.

"As much as I have thoroughly enjoyed the challengs and doing something for the community, I now feel that I need to concentrate my time on building a home, developing my business; and to be perfectly honest, I would like to spend some time with my husband.

"I will, of course, still endeavour to have my voice heard in the coming months, and am absolutely certain that in the future I will stand for council again when the time is right.

"It is worth noting here that I have had my ups and downs, particularly as mayor, over that last year.

"I feel that there are those who do not make it an easy task to be a councillor, and some who perhaps need to consider others' postitions more graciously - you can never really understand someone else's point of view unless you have walked in their shoes - but I believe that it is our job as councillors to try. This council should consider that in the future.

"All that is left for me to say is: thank you, good luck, and good bye."

District councillor Carol Goodall served as mayor of Ilminster twice, ten years ago and five years ago, and received the most votes in last year's election.

Sophie Storey stepped down after three years on the council, and last week talked to the Chard and Ilminster News about why she shose to do so.

For the full interview, click here.