Key roles confirmed at East Devon District Council Annual Meeting

A senior councillor with a wealth of experience in local government has been elected as the new Chairman for East Devon District Council for the next year.

Councillor Andrew Moulding, who represents Axminster Town ward, has served in local government for more than thirty years with the district and Axminster town councils. He has also represented Axminster – the town where he was born – as a Devon County councillor for eight years and was its Chairman for a year before standing down earlier this month.

Cllr Moulding was elected at East Devon District Council’s annual meeting (Wednesday May 17) and he told fellow councillors: “This is a very, very proud moment for me. I have been a district councillor for thirty years and this is the council I love.” He paid tribute to retiring chairman Cllr Stuart Hughes and said: “He has chaired the council with great dignity and fairness over the last two years and he has done a splendid job.”

Cllr David Key, who represents Otterhead ward, was elected as Vice Chairman and takes over the role from Cllr Helen Parr.

Cllr Paul Diviani was elected as the council’s Leader and Cllr Phil Twiss takes over from Cllr Moulding as the Deputy Leader of the council. Cllr Twiss was also appointed as the cabinet member for Strategic Development and Partnerships.

The following councillors have been appointed to the Cabinet:

Cabinet member for Corporate Services: Cllr Iain Chubb
Cabinet member for Economy: Cllr Philip Skinner
Cabinet member for the Environment: Cllr Tom Wright (deputy Cllr Marcus Hartnell)
Cabinet member for Finance: Cllr Ian Thomas
Cabinet member for Sustainable Homes and Communities: Cllr Jill Elson
Cabinet member without Portfolio: Cllr Eileen Wragg
Cabinet member without Portfolio: Cllr Geoff Pook.

Chairmen and Vice Chairmen of East Devon District Council’s committees are:

Overview Committee: Cllr Graham Godbeer (Chair) and Cllr Ian Hall (Vice Chair)
Scrutiny Committee: Cllr Roger Giles (Chair) and Cllr Alan Dent (Vice Chair)
Housing Review Board: Cllr Pauline Stott (Chair), Vice Chair to be appointed by Housing Review Board
Strategic Planning Committee: Cllr Phil Twiss (Chair) and Cllr Graham Godbeer (Vice Chair)
Development Management Committee: Cllr Mike Howe (Chair) and Cllr Colin Brown (Vice Chair)
Audit and Governance: Cllr Mark Williamson (Chair) and Cllr Dean Barrow (Vice Chair)
Standards: Chairman of the Council – Cllr Andrew Moulding (Chair)
Interviewing (Chief Officers): Cllr Paul Diviani (Chair) and Cllr Phil Twiss (Vice Chair)
Employment Appeals: Cllr Phil Twiss (Chair)
Licensing and Enforcement: Cllr Steve Hall (Chair) and Cllr John O’Leary (Vice Chair)

Lead councillors

Axminster – Cllr Ian Hall
Culture – Cllr John O’Leary
Exmouth – Cllr John Humphreys
Employment and business – Cllr Mike Allen
Health and wellbeing – Cllr Cherry Nicholas
Member development and engagement – Cllr Maddy Chapman
Neighbourhood planning – Cllr Mark Williamson
Planning, design and heritage: – Cllr Alan Dent
Procurement – Cllr Graham Godbeer
Rural – Cllr Paul Carter
Sport and recreation – Cllr Darryl Nicholas
Tourism: Cllr Jenny Brown
Youth – Cllr Mark Evans-Martin.

Pictured is new East Devon District Council Chairman Cllr Andrew Moulding with retiring Chairman Cllr Stuart Hughes.