CHAIRMAN’S BLOG – MAY 2009

It is a curious feeling to find myself sitting in a raised position in front of a roomful of my Councillor colleagues who have elected me as Chairman of Teignbridge District Council for the year 2009/10. Why curious? Well for one thing the usual debating challenges aimed by colleagues at each other during the course of the past year are missing. No contentious issues, no scores to settle, no last minute surprises.

Instead I presided over the smooth transition of the Chairmanship from Cllr. David Weekes to myself in an atmosphere of genuine support and goodwill from all sides of the Chamber. I was touched and humbled by the tributes and congratulations delivered by colleagues and feel honoured that they unanimously expressed confidence that I will represent the best interests of Teignbridge and the changes we all strive to make for the benefit of the people we represent.

In accepting the Teignbridge Chain of Office, I have committed myself to represent and champion all that is best about the Council I have served since 1979. Supported by my husband Bill, himself a former Teignbridge Councillor we are very much looking forward to getting out and about visiting as many places in the area as possible, seeing what people are doing in their own communities to foster opportunities and improvements with the help of the professional support of Teignbridge Officers who work hard to advise and guide groups and organisations through the forests of paperwork which can be complicated and daunting to enthusiastic volunteers.

I have seen many changes since I was first elected a Teignbridge District Councillor in May 1979. In those days Council meetings were held in the former Newton Abbot Council premises at Kingsteignton Road, Kngsteignton. All other principal offices were scattered around the District. Eventually we had the opportunity to secure ownership of Old Forde House and plan the development of the office complex we occupy today. Her Majesty the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh came to formally open the House and grounds as our new base. I think we can rightly claim that the coming together of all strands of local government in Teignbridge on this campus at Forde House has strengthened and evolved the partnerships and working relationships we now enjoy with the business community, residents and neighbouring authorities.

Now more changes are on the horizon and I do not just mean a possible General Election! Whoever is in charge at Westminster will be deciding whether the current system of local government administration in Devon should continue unchanged or be re-born as a unitary organisation. We are in a period of some uncertainty but I know everyone here, Councillors, Officers and staff will continue as always to oversee the business of the Council and further the interests of everyone living in the District. In my role as Chairman I will continue to raise the profile of the Council throughout the area, taking the view that until someone says otherwise, it is Business as Usual!