Dorchester Town Council's new clerk is Steve Newman who takes on the role after 20 years with the authority.

He takes over from Adrian Stuart who recently retired.

Mr Newman came to the town council in 2002 as deputy town clerk after spending five years with Bournemouth Borough Council, starting his career at Dorset Council in 1980 as a clerical assistant.

Over the years he has worked in a number of different council departments including social services, education, architects' and the chief executive's departments.

"I have always has an affinity with Dorchester and when the job as deputy town clerk came up I jumped at it," said Mr Newman, who says he is pleased to take on the top job at the town council despite the difficulties of trying to expand and change while under budget pressure.

The town council, which has around 25 staff, is currently coming to the end of the first phase of major improvements to the listed municipal buildings which will see Dorchester Arts taking over the day to day management of the building.

Further works are proposed to open up the front of the building to make it more accessible to a wide range of users in the coming years.

Part of the changes have included making the building as energy efficient as possible with a bio mass boiler, solar panels, low energy lights and improved air circulation and insulation – one of the biggest and most expensive projects the town council has undertaken.

"With the way fuel prices have been rising it was really good timing," said Mr Newman who hopes to oversee the completion of the first phase towards the end of August.

The 'green' project will complement other climate change projects at the town council including the switch to electric vehicles and power tools and making use of underground water by sinking boreholes to cut the cost of the council's water bills.

Other recent projects include taking responsibility for the Poundbury play area, built by the Duchy, and the creation of a woodland walk at the King's Road playing field running parallel with Lubbecke Way and linking in to public footpaths which lead to Kingston Maurward.

In addition the town council has ongoing care of town cemeteries, skatepark, play areas, fitness equipment, recreation grounds and the Borough Gardens which the new town clerk describes as "a place of solace in the middle of the town".

Added to all that is a summer series of free music events in the Borough Gardens with other events in Maumbury Rings.

"It's been good to again be organising events which will see people out and about enjoying themselves," said Mr Newman.

Also looming in the 'in-tray' is the on-going objection the town council has to the 4,000 home 'Dorchester North' development and the developing Dorchester Masterplan, not to mention mid-term financial planning.

As Mr Newman says – he is not expecting a quiet life anytime soon.

Said policy committee chairman Cllr Susie Hosford: "We are delighted that Steve Newman was the successful candidate in a competitive recruitment process which attracted a wide range of applicants. Steve has worked for Dorchester Town Council for many years and has a proven track record of successfully delivering projects and services which have benefitted the town, its residents, and visitors. He is well known and respected throughout our community, and we are confident that his well informed and inclusive approach to his work will continue in his new role as our town clerk".