Torridge Councillors meet at AGM and re-elect Councillor Ken James as Leader for third year

Picture Left to Right - Deputy Leader Claire Hodson - Chair Doug Bushby - Leader Ken James

Torridge Councillors met this week at the Councils AGM to elect the leader of the Council and fill other key positions across the Council's decision making committees. This included the positions of chair and vice chair of the Council as well as the chair and vice chairs of committees.

One of the key outcomes from the night was the decision by Councillors to re-elect both Councillor Ken James as Leader and also Councillor Claire Hodson as Deputy Leader for the third year in a row. The majority of the committee chairs and vice chairs also remain unchanged.

The full list of chair and vice chair positions decided were as follows:

Chair of the Council - Councillor Doug Bushby

Vice Chair of the Council - Councillor Peter Christie

Chair Community and Resources Committee - Councillor Bob Hicks

Vice Chair Community and Resources Committee - Councillor Anna Dart

Chair Plans Committee - Councillor Chris Leather

Vice Chair Plans Committee - Councillor Rosemary Lock

Chair Audit and Governance Committee - Councillor Philip Hackett

Vice Chair Audit and Governance Committee - Councillor Ruth Craigie

Chair Internal Overview and Scrutiny Committee - Councillor Pete Watson

Vice Chair Internal Overview and Scrutiny Committee - Councillor Tony Inch

Chair External Overview and Scrutiny Committee - Councillor Joanne Manley

Vice Chair External Overview and Scrutiny Committee - Councillor Cheryl Cottle-Hunkin

Chair Licensing Committee - Councillor Jamie McKenzie

Vice Chair Licensing Committee - Councillor Richard Wiseman

Chair Standards Committee - Councillor Nick Laws

Vice Chair Standards Committee - Councillor Rachel Clarke

Re-elected Leader of Torridge District Council - Councillor Ken James said:

"I would like to thank my fellow Councillors for once again supporting my election as leader in what continues to be a unique and unprecedented period of time in this Councils history in dealing with the Covid pandemic and now the effects of the international crisis in Ukraine. As I've indicated in the past the leader is only as good as the team supporting them and this obviously includes my close colleague Claire as deputy leader but also all of my fellow Councillors involved in our decision making. I look forward to continuing to help steer the Council in the year ahead as we bounce back from Covid and reenergise some of the projects that were stalled during the pandemic."

Re-elected Deputy Leader of Torridge District Council - Councillor Claire Hodson said:

"I am proud of the Councils track record during the recent pandemic and admired the team spirit amongst Councillors and Officers in aiding and supporting our communities during the crisis. While there are still many challenges to be met, I look forward to working with everyone in delivering our vision and strategy for Torridge and thank my fellow Councillors for my re-election as deputy leader." 

Councillor Doug Bushby - re-elected Chair of Torridge District Council said:

"I would like to express my appreciation to my fellow Councillors for placing their confidence in me and for my re-election as chair of Torridge District Council. There is still much to do and I look forward to working with colleagues on the many exciting projects that the Council will be developing and delivering in the coming year." 

19 May 2022