New chairman and reshuffled Cabinet at Devon County Council

Devon County Council leader Cllr John Hart has refreshed his ruling Cabinet following last month's election victory as he starts an historic fourth term in charge.

Cllr Hart, who represents Bickleigh and Wembury, was re-elected leader at the council's annual meeting last week, after the Conservatives became the first party to retain control of the authority for four consecutive terms.

He will retain responsibility for policy, property and corporate matters and will chair the Cabinet, and said that he is looking forward to the challenge of focusing on recovery after the pandemic.

Two new faces have been appointed to the ruling Cabinet, which also now includes a post in which climate change is a core responsibility.

He said: "I thank you all for the confidence in me. It has been challenging but a rewarding job and I have tried to work the council with a low political feel through it.  

"I look forward for the challenge of the next four years and that we need to focus on recovery after the pandemic.

"The country has had a hard time and we have to lead the county to create the atmosphere to create the prosperity which is needed to create the prosperity as a council, county and for the people of Devon."

Experienced and fresh faces

Cllr Hart added: "Last month we won an historic fourth term in office at County Hall.

"Devon County Council is a big business with a turnover of more than one billion pounds a year and it is important that Cabinet members gain experience in all areas of the operation and take on new responsibilities.

"This new Cabinet blends both experience and fresh faces and I know it will be effective in our major challenges of ensuring the Devon economy recovers from the effects of the pandemic and leading our increasing efforts to combat climate change."

Proposing Cllr Hart as leader, Cllr Stuart Hughes said: "Over the years he has shown his true quality as a cool, calm, collected and highly organised leader and he is held in high esteem by other authorities.

"The last 14 months have been challenging and his true leadership qualities have come to the fore to lead Team Devon through the pandemic as a true inspiration."

With no other nominations, Cllr Hart was re-elected as the leader of the council.

Hatherleigh and Chagford councillor James McInnes was re-elected as deputy leader. He and Exeter councillor, Andrew Leadbetter, will swap jobs in the re-allocation of posts.

Cllr McInnes, who has been Cabinet member for children's services and schools for almost eight years, will take responsibility for adult social care and health services, while Cllr Leadbetter will take over the children's services' portfolio. He will also continue as the Cabinet member for Exeter.

Sidmouth councillor Stuart Hughes remains in charge of highways and cycling and continues as chief whip.

Salcombe councillor, Rufus Gilbert, will retain his cabinet responsibilities overseeing economic recovery and skills, with Cllr Gilbert having a key role in promoting economic development and employment through regeneration and investment as the county council takes a lead in helping Devon recover from the economic effects of the pandemic.

Roger Croad, who was re-elected for Ivybridge, will be responsible for public health, communities and equality as well as the military covenant. He will also remain as Devon's representative on the Devon and Cornwall police and crime panel.

Combe Martin Rural councillor, Andrea Davis, who oversaw environment, infrastructure and transport in the last Cabinet, will continue in that role but will add climate change to her responsibilities as the issue takes centre stage.

The new faces in the Cabinet are Feniton and Honiton councillor, Phil Twiss, who becomes responsible for finance, and Great Torrington councillor Andrew Saywell, who will be in charge of organisational development, workforce and digital transformation.

Climate change a 'crucial issue'

Cllr Hart commented: "Climate change affects everyone in Devon as it does across the country and across the world.

"It's important that this crucial issue is reflected in all our discussions in Cabinet and I am delighted that Andrea has agreed to take on the job.

"The fact that we are establishing this role is a measure of how seriously we take the issue.

"We've cut our carbon footprint by almost half as a county council and we're on target to become net-zero carbon by 2030.

"We have ambitious plans for a cleaner, Greener Devon with a thriving economy that will help us recover from the effects of the pandemic.

"But we've got to get the recovery going whilst keeping our promise to reduce carbon emissions.

"We will continue to invest in LED lighting on our streetlights. That both saves money and cuts our carbon emissions.

"There will be more charging points for electric cars, solar panels on the roofs of our buildings and we are looking for more land to plant trees to offset some of our carbon footprint."

Cllr Davis said: "This is the right time to put the issue centre stage in Devon. The county council was a leading mover in setting up the Devon Climate Emergency Response Group which is a partnership of Devon's councils, business groups, emergency services and voluntary organisations and our chief executive chairs the organisation.

"We've been canvassing residents across the county to put themselves forward to join the Devon Climate Assembly this summer.

"This will give 70 people the chance to represent their communities in contributing to the county's climate roadmap, which outlines what every resident, business and organisation will have to do to reduce carbon emissions.

"The Climate Assembly is the next stage of a transparent and democratic process to show us all how we can live and prosper in a carbon neutral society.

"This is the goal of Devon's Carbon Plan – to set out a clear roadmap of what we all have to do to ensure that Devon becomes net-zero and continues to thrive."

Former Royal Marine elected new chairman

The annual meeting also saw Cllr Jeff Trail BEM elected as the new council chairman, with Cllr Debo Sellis as the vice-chairman.

A former Royal Marine, Cllr Trail, who represents the Exmouth ward, and was first elected to the council in 2017.

In 2016 the Conservative was awarded British Empire Medal for services to the local community, with achievements including founding the Brixington Blues Youth Football Club, helping to establish the Exmouth Youth Football League, creating the Brixington and Bystock Group, as well as coordinating the annual Exmouth Armed Forces Day and reintroducing the Royal Marines' Beat Retreat to the town.

Speaking at Thursday's meeting, Cllr Trail said: "I wish to thank you for the nominations and the vote of support to be chairman of the council and for the kind words which included my dear wife and family and the second family of the Royal Marines.

"But I want to thank the people of Devon for the people who have worked through the pandemic to the guidelines and we have been one of the best regions to overcome the terrible virus. Some families have lost a loved one so please accept my thoughts and prayers.

"I want to praise the NHS, the emergency services and key workers, and all of these people have kept the nation going through sheer hard work and determination, and had the public not adhered to the guidelines and the rollout of inoculations begun, we would not be here today.

"As a former Royal Marine, I want to thank the local communities, our friends and families who have supported each and every one of us, and as a Royal Marine leading from the front, it will be my intention to champion all those serving and for Devon ounty Council, with your help and assistance. to strive for the gold standard of the Armed Forces covenant.

"I want to thank you all for giving me the honour and privilege to provide my service to the people and communities of Devon and its visitors, and I am here to assist everyone and my door will be open any time day or night."

Nominating him, his fellow ward councillor Cllr Richard Scott said: "He is a true community champion and a true friend. He is the most trustworthy person I know and a father figure and a trusted colleague, and I cannot offer higher praise for Jeff.

"His true quality is around people and in this position he will shine and when you go out for a pint with him, the whole population of Exmouth wants to shake his hand.

"He is a man of integrity and decency and he is a man who genuinely cares, and it is an honour for the Royal Marines to have of their own as chairman of this council, and I look forward to having a pint to celebrate tonight."

Councillors paid tribute to the outgoing chairman of the council, Cllr Stuart Barker, who after 20 years on the council decided to stand down ahead of May's local elections.

Cllr Barker, whose year as chairman of the council was carried out almost exclusively virtually due to the coronavirus pandemic, said: "The time has come to discover if my boat is still afloat and get out on her more often.

"I have enjoyed my time, and I hope all of you have such a great time and enjoy it, so there is no need to fall out with anyone as we are all in it together for the people of Devon, always have been and always will be."