Five members resign from council

Five members of a Cornwall town council have resigned, claiming spending plans are unrealistic and that debates are not being properly carried out.

The resignations at Bude-Stratton Town Council mean it is down to 13 members instead of its full complement of 18.

Those who have left claim council costs and spending are too high, and that the decision-making process is flawed.

Mayor and council chairwoman Anne Davies said the allegations were "nonsense" and it had nothing to hide.

'Hitting walls'

One of those who resigned, Mike Footitt, said he was not prepared to put up with the situation any longer.

He said: "I felt that when I joined the council that I would be able to do a bit of good for the area, but now I feel I can't because I keep hitting brick walls all the time."

Others who resigned said they did not want to go into greater detail about the issues for legal reasons.

Mayor Anne Davies said those who resigned had not officially said why they had left.

The council is in contact with North Cornwall District Council about a possible by-election to fill the vacancies.