Tributes to Devon leader as he steps down

John Hart was councillor for 36 years

Devon political veteran John Hart has stepped down from the the county council he has represented for 36 years.

Cllr Hart, who was first elected to the then Wembury and Erme seat in 1989, chaired his last meeting of Devon County Council, departing to plaudits for his achievements and well-wishes for his retirement.

His final meeting, a day before his 80th birthday, saw leaders of all the political groups thank Cllr Hart for his years of public service.

Cllr Hart outlined the responsibility of the county council, with the roughly 800,000 residents it represents and £2 billion budget.

The new administration he addressed is made up predominantly of people who have never served as a county councillor before – about four in every five of the 60 members.

This cohort will be responsible for overseeing how the council is reorganised as part of government plans to abolish the two-tier system of county and district councils.

“My key piece of advice would be that the larger you are, the bigger capacity you have. Split and you’ll finish up weaker and the people of Devon will finish up weaker.”

Many of Devon’s district councils are in favour of Devon being split into three councils compared to its current 11.

The idea of working together may also be tested in the chamber, with no party having an overall majority.

Liberal Democrats have 27 seats, short of the 31 needed for outright control. Reform UK is the second biggest party with 18 seats and is the official opposition.

The new leader of the council, Cllr Julian Brazil, pledged to run an inclusive and collegiate administration, and has given a seat on his cabinet to Cllr Jacqi Hodgson (Totnes & Dartington), who leads the Green Party and independent political grouping, a total of eight members.

Neither Reform UK nor the Conservatives have cabinet seats.

The previous Conservative administration only had Conservative members.

Cllr Hart referred to the time in 2001, when there was a hung council, as being “possibly the most effective four years of my life”.

The coalition that formed in that administration gave responsibility for reforming the education system in Exeter to Cllr Hart, whose bid to government led to him securing £79 million for the council, far more than the nearly £40 million some of his peers thought he would secure.

He also criticised the notion that there were major and easy savings to be made.

“We are the largest unit in the south west, we have the most roads and yet we are one of the lowest funded in the region,” he said

“Even now, the latest budget has a nearly £200 million reduction in government support, and we have covered some of that with a council tax rise, but there is still a big gap.

“It’s all very well saying you need to be more efficient, and yes, we can be, as there is always a chance to do something. But don’t expect in turning over the books that you will find massive sums of money as they aren’t there, and they never were there as funding has reduced and reduced and reduced.”

He added that councillors should “not be afraid” about admitting they have a lot to learn as the parishes and residents are “dependent on you”.

Cllr Brazil (Liberal Democrat, Kingsbridge) said Mr Hart had done an “impeccable job” during his year as chair, adding it had been a “privilege to work alongside” him.

“We always worked best when we were working as a team to achieve the best for people,” he said.

“You have been on the council for 36 years and I don’t think people should underestimate the time and effort you have personally dedicated to the people of Devon.

“We might not have always agreed, but you put yourself forward for public service, and you are a credit to Devon and to yourself.”

Cllr Michael Fife Cook (Reform UK, Yelverton Rural) said he had come to the council “without realising the tremendous amount of experience and knowledge” in the room, and thanked Cllr Hart for his service.

He added that every new councillor would “bring the same dedication and passion” in serving their communities.

Cllr Jacqi Hodgson (Green Party, Totnes & Dartington) said Cllr Hart had completed an “illustrious career”.

“We are from fairly different sides of the political viewpoint, but that doesn’t mean I haven’t learned from you,” she said.

“You surprised me by supporting me on climate change.”

Cllr Hodgson said her first interaction with Cllr Hart was at an event in Totnes Civic Hall, and he had said that it was “not what the county can do for you, but what you can do for your county”, something she said had been a memorable moment.

Mr Hart’s Conservative colleague, Cllr Andrew Leadbetter (Wearside and Topsham) said he “didn’t know where to start” in terms of congratulating the outgoing chair.

“You’ve probably got about 30 years of odd jobs around the house, so you have a lot to do in retirement,” he quipped.

“You have been a brilliant ambassador as chair, and during your 15 years as leader, you had a very firm but fair hand on the tiller, and you had to deal with hundreds of millions of pounds of cuts, and you led us through that.”

Cllr Leadbetter also acknowledged the service of outgoing vice chair, Cllr Pru Maskell, who was not re-elected in the May elections.

He thanked her for her “hard work and enthusiasm” in championing the needs of the county’s children during her year as vice chair.

Categories: Campaigns