New Teignbridge chairman goes full-time

Cllr Colin Parker retires from old job

Teignbridge District Council’s new chairman has retired from his work in the financial services industry to take up his new role.

Cllr Colin Parker, Liberal Democrat councillor for the Buckland and Milber ward, was elected as the new council chairman at Friday’s annual meeting.

A town councillor since 2007, district councillor since 2011, and former Mayor of Newton Abbot, Cllr Parker has spent much of his life in the financial services industry but it was announced he will retire from that this week in order to represent the council in this new role.

Speaking at the meeting which was held at Newton Abbot Racecourse due to social distancing guidance which meant the Forde House HQ council chamber could not be used, Cllr Parker said: “I am honoured and privileged to be elected to Chair of Teignbridge District Council.

“Rest assured I will treat the position with the highest regard. I commend Councillor John Petherick on his year of the chair and related duties – throughout a difficult year of the pandemic, he has coped in a very dignified manner.

“We are now in a much better position than we have been for a long time, but I must stress caution. It will be a while before we all feel at ease with the situation.

“All through my life, I have tried to treat everyone with whom I come into contact in a straightforward, respectful and fair manner. I will endeavour to continue this, and irrespective of our views, it is my expectation that all of us will follow similar principles so thank you for putting the trust in me.”

Nominating him for the role, his fellow ward councillor Gordon Hook had said: “He is a loyal and respected friend and a strong family man. He is committed to his community and his town where he has lived for at least 40 years.

“He is an experienced councillor and brings it to this position and will be a fair-minded chairman who will represent the district with distinction. He is retiring and will have the time and energy to represent in the way the position demands.”

Elected as vice-chairman for the year was Chudleigh Councillor Lorraine Evans, who said she was looking forward to supporting the council, and the new chair, in the coming year.

Outgoing chair Cllr Petherick said the past year could be described in three words: ‘challenge’, ‘hardship’ and ‘crisis’.

He said: “This last year we have all adapted to new ways of working and lived our lives with stresses, lockdowns and virtual meetings. We have managed, but it will be a year we’ll never forget.”

He paid tribute to the ‘commitment, professionalism and solidarity of staff during the past year, and thanked Democratic Services Manager Sarah Selway for her support during a difficult year, and his Chaplain Mark Jones, and said that the target set for his chosen charity, Teignbridge Community Transport Association, had been ‘exceeded beyond his wildest dreams’ – and thanked everyone who had contributed.

The position of leader and deputy leader of Teignbridge District Council remains the same, with Cllr Alan Connett, and Cllr Alistair Dewhirst, continuing in these respective roles.