NEW councillors are filling the ranks at South Cerney Parish council.

Upon reaching the end of their four year term, eight councillors decided to retire from the council, leaving three members staying on for another term.

Many of the councillors had been on the council for several years and decided it was time to step down, due to old age.

Former chairman of the council, Mike Stuart, 75, said he thought younger people were needed on the council and that is why he decided to step down.

Mr Stuart who had been chairman for the majority of the 15 years he spent on the council said: I have put in 15 years and I am of the age now where I am in my mid 70s.

“Bluntly, younger people need to take over. It is really what the village needs.”

Mike said some of the council's biggest achievements was overseeing the Red Row housing development in The Mallards  and working with architects to create a £1.15 million community centre there.

He singled out councillor James Harris for doing maintenance work in the Upper Up playing fields and install a water drainage system at Robert Franklin Way which prevented homes from flooding in 2012.

He said: “We have achieved a heck of a lot in the last few years. We have made some amazing changes in South Cerney.”

One of the new councillor’s Marcus Price, said that although many people had exited the council he was confident that the new team would be able to do a good job.

“We have three older councillors which can steady the ship. So I am sure that we will be fine but there will be a learning curve.

He said that focus of the new council is to challenge plans for a waste transfer station on Broadway Lane that could process up to 40,000 tonnes of waste a year.

He said: “The immediate challenge for the whole community is to oppose the waste transfer station that the district council is trying to force onto the village.

Although new blood has been injected into the council, six councillors are still needed.

If you would like to apply then email clerk@southcerney.org.uk