WEYMOUTH and Portland should be left in a better position and well placed for the future – thanks to the efforts of councillors and council officers according to borough council leader Jeff Cant.

Speaking at the borough's last management committee meeting on Tuesday he admitted there had been troubled times and difficult decisions but said he had no doubt the borough was now in a better place than it was.

Cllr Cant said that being a councillor was 'a pretty tough job' and paid tribute to councillors who he said had stuck with him over the past four years.

“It has been a tumultuous four years, we have been very busy and there has been some very controversial decisions...at times it has been very, very tough.

“Big thanks are due to all colleagues who have worked hard and for their effort they have put in to make the massive progress we have made in four years.”

“I do believe we are handing over a vibrant agenda to the new unitary council.”

Cllr Cant was thanked for his role by Cllrs Mike Byatt, Gill Taylor and Colin Huckle.

Cllr Huckle said he believed the area had an exciting future thanks to the work which had been done in recent years: “There is a lot of things bubbling around, a lot of things coming up which will improve the economy and, hopefully, our housing as well,” he said.

Cllr Cant also paid tribute to what he described as the council's loyal, hard-working and well informed officers.