Torridge District Council re-elects Councillor Ken James as Leader for sixth year running

Photo Left to Right:  Councillor Ken James - Leader of Torridge District Council. Councillor Claire Hodson - Deputy Leader of Torridge District Council and Councillor Doug Bushby, Chair of Torridge District Council.

Councillors in Torridge met in Bideford on Monday 19 May for the Council's Annual General Meeting.  The main focus of the meeting was to elect the Leader and Deputy Leader of the Council and Chair and Vice Chair. The agenda also covered Chair and Vice Chair appointments to the Council's key decision-making committees. 

One of the key outcomes from the night was the decision to re-elect both Councillor Ken James as Leader and Councillor Claire Hodson as Deputy Leader for the sixth year in a row. Councillor Doug Bushby was also re-elected as chair of the Council with Councillor Doug Smith sworn in as vice-chair.

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 Doug Smith

Chair Community and Resources Committee - Councillor Bob Hicks

Vice Chair Community and Resources Committee - Councillor Teresa Tinsley

Chair Plans Committee - Councillor Rosemary Lock

Vice Chair Plans Committee - Councillor Chris Leather

Chair Audit and Governance Committee - Councillor Philip Hackett

Vice Chair Audit and Governance Committee - Councillor Jude Gubb

Chair Internal Overview and Scrutiny Committee - Councillor Claire Hodson

Vice Chair Internal Overview and Scrutiny Committee - Councillor Steven Harding

Chair External Overview and Scrutiny Committee - Councillor Hugh Thomas

Vice Chair External Overview and Scrutiny Committee - Councillor Annie Brenton

Chair Licensing Committee - Councillor Chris Bright

Vice Chair Licensing Committee - Councillor Simon Inch

Chair Standards Committee - Councillor Louis Bach

Vice Chair Standards Committee - Councillor Ken James

Photo Left to Right: Councillor Doug Smith - Deputy Chair of Torridge District Council, Councillor Doug Bushby - Chair of Torridge District Council

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

"I would like to thank my fellow Councillors for once again supporting my election as leader as we continue to work through not only the day-to-day the issues that affect our residents, but the challenges presented to us the Government's agenda for Local Government Reform.  Over the coming months, we as a Council are resolute in our shared commitment to engaging with our residents, partners, and stakeholders to help shape these proposals going forward. 

"One of our key priorities, together with housing, is to continue our pledge to look for opportunities to grow our economy and improve jobs and training prospects, especially for our young people, so that living and working in the district is an attractive and viable option."

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

"I am delighted to have been re-elected as Deputy Leader and appreciate the support shown from my fellow councillors in endorsing me for the role. We'll continue to collectively do all we can to promote growth and spend the money we have wisely. It will be rewarding to see through many of the exciting projects and initiatives already underway to their conclusion."

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. I appreciate their support. I look forward to continuing the many exciting projects we are currently working on as councillors, in particular the Operational Services Centre and the Appledore Clean Maritime Innovation Centre."

May 25