New Council meet at Torridge AGM and re-elect Councillor Ken James as Leader for fourth year

Following the recent district elections on 4^th May, councillors in Torridge met in Bideford on 22^nd May for the Council's AGM, in a meeting that included 16 new and 20 returning councillors. 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 fourth year in a row. Councillor Doug Bushby was also re-elected as chair of the Council with Councillor Peter Christie 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 Peter Christie

Chair Community and Resources Committee - Councillor Bob Hicks

Vice Chair Community and Resources Committee - Councillor Anna Dart

Chair Plans Committee - Councillor Rosemary Lock

Vice Chair Plans Committee - Councillor Peter Hames

Chair Audit and Governance Committee - Councillor Philip Hackett

Vice Chair Audit and Governance Committee - Councillor Jude Gubb

Chair Internal Overview and Scrutiny Committee - Councillor Simon Newton

Vice Chair Internal Overview and Scrutiny Committee - Councillor James Craigie

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

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 Carl Hawkins

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 as we continue to work through the issues affecting many of our residents caused by the ongoing cost of living crisis. I look forward to getting to know some of the new councillors a little better but I appreciate the united approach everyone has already shown in supporting both myself, and my deputy Claire, for the position of leader and deputy leader. I hope that we will be able to emerge from the current series of crises affecting day to day life for many, and look forward to delivering some of the bigger projects already in the pipeline such as the Appledore Clean Maritime Innovation Centre, which received nearly £16m in backing from the government. We'll also continue to look for other opportunities to grow our economy, and improve job and training prospects across the district."

Re-elected Deputy Leader of Torridge District Council - Councillor Claire Hodson 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 projects and initiatives already underway to their conclusion. Hopefully some of the economic headwinds will ease up and allow us a respite from the recent heavy financial burden this has placed on both the council and our residents."

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 are many new faces in the council and I appreciate their support as well as those that I've worked with previously. I look forward to continuing the many exciting projects we are currently working on as councillors."

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

May 23