Exmouth will be a focus for coming year, says East Devon leader as he is re-elected

Councillor Paul Arnott, the leader of East Devon District Council, has been re-elected after a vote at the annual council meeting on Tuesday (25 May) this week. Independent councillor Ian Thomas has also been elected as the new Chair.

Councillor Arnott has plans for Exmouth and towns across the county, and is keen to focus on climate change and poverty.

He said: "Across the district, from Seaton to Sidmouth, Ottery St Mary to the Blackdown Hills, we want to engage with and help in the culture, leisure, sport and tourism economies. East Devon has so much talent and potential in this, and we want to help this sector thrive.

"Axminster, so full of potential, will be another focus of the coming year, as Exmouth has been in the past year, and will continue to be.

"There will be financial challenges too. The government said it would cover losses from the pandemic, and unfortunately it has not, in particular leaving us with more than a million pounds in losses with LED.

"We also have to take on challenges ducked by previous administrations. What to do with our ageing public lavatory provision, or with our car parks?

"In climate change issues, we now have a new dedicated officer to help us guide this process, and all emerging policy will need to pass through this filter.

"We have a new Poverty Action policy, and we will be working with County to help us realise this.

"And finally, as an absolute priority, we need to put into action challenging ideas for more social and attainable homes for local people.

"I love this area, and it is a great honour to have been elected by the council to serve for a second term as Leader, not something I will ever take for granted.

"I believe that the majority of people in East Devon, of all ages, are progressive, forward-thinking people, wishing for their local governance to be a national exemplar of transparency and accountability."

Read more about the upcoming public toilet review here.

Councillor Ian Thomas was also elected following a vote at the same annual council meeting on Tuesday (25 May).

He said: "Historically, when our council was led by one political party with an overall majority, the Chair would come from within that group.

"Since elections in May 2019, our council has been more fragmented and polarised, lacking the overall control of one party.

"It is therefore a particular honour, as a non-aligned, individual Independent member, to be elected Chair of East Devon District Council by such a decisive majority of my colleagues across virtually all political groups.

"I recognise this unique trust brings with it additional responsibilities, and will perform all my duties with an even hand and open mind."

Councillor Val Ranger was also elected as the Vice Chair.

She said: "It is a great privilege to be re-elected as Vice-Chair for another year and I thank cross party colleagues for their support.

"Such much has been achieved in the past year and I look forward to building on this in the year ahead and giving my full congratulations and support to the newly elected Chair, Councillor Ian Thomas."