Switch of deputies as council chair re-elected

Members at East Devon elect a new vice chair and deputy leader

Two new deputies have been appointed at a Devon council and its chair selected for another year.

Members at East Devon District Council’s full council meeting backed Cllr Eleanor Rylance (Liberal Democrat, Broadclyst) to chair the council again, and also welcomed Cllr Charlotte Fitzgerald (Liberal Democrat, Budleigh and Raleigh) as vice-chair.

This meant long-standing member Cllr Eileen Wragg (Conservative, Exmouth Town) stood down as vice-chair.

Cllr Paul Hayward (Independent, Axminster), who recently secured a seat on Devon County Council, stood down as deputy leader, with Cllr John Loudon (Independent, Sidmouth Rural) taking on the position under Cllr Paul Arnott (Liberal Democrat, Coly Valley) who secured the role as leader for the sixth consecutive year.

Cllr Wragg congratulated her replacement, adding she was “pleased to hand the role over to you”.

“You are a younger face here and show great promise, and you are definitely a high-flyer with lots of new ideas,” Cllr Wragg said.

“I’m sure you’ll enjoy your time as vice-chair, and you might even become chair or go further.”

Cllr Fitzgerald, who was elected to the district council in 2023, will support Cllr Rylance in her role as chair, which is essentially a politically-neutral position that involves representing the council.

“It has been a huge privilege to represent East Devon District Council over the last two years, and especially as we go into the local government reorganisation process, I think our cross-border links are becoming more important,” she said.

“And when I attend meetings on our behalf, I am also interacting with civil society and military personnel, and a lot of things are starting to come together and I think that’s partly through those personal relationships.

“It is a huge honour and privilege, and be assured I am working hard on your behalf and that of the people of East Devon in all things I do.”

She also thanked Cllr Wragg for being “a hugely dependable, solid presence” during her time as vice chair.