Devon County Council stalwart bows out

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

- Bradley Gerrard, of the Local Democracy Reporting Service, reports

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 four 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.