New leader makes vulnerable children and fixing roads two of his ‘top priorities’

Devon County Councils new leader, Councillor Julian Brazil, says that he is ‘determined to deliver the very best’ for the county’s most vulnerable children.

Councillor Brazil (Kingsbridge) made the pledge following his confirmation as the new Leader of DCC at a full council meeting, a meeting where he also outlined other top priorities such as fixing Devon’s roads.

At the meeting the new members of our cabinet were nominated and confirmed, as was the position of deputy leader.

And to underline the new leadership’s commitment to the safeguarding and education of Devon’s children, the children’s services portfolio will be the responsibility of three cabinet members, who will work closely to improve the outcomes of all children and young people in Devon. 

In addition to his role as leader Cllr Brazil will take on responsibility for education, while Cllr Denise Bickley (Sidmouth) will oversee Special educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Cllr Richard Jefferies (Feniton and Honiton) has responsibility for children’s social services.

Councillor Brazil said: “The only way we can deliver the services the public need and deserve is to work with our partners, by creating productive relationships with agencies from the NHS to schools, from parish and town councils to community groups. 

“We know money is incredibly tight but by working together we can achieve so much more.

“We have been failing our most vulnerable children for far too long, and we want to send a message; our children need us, and we must deliver. 

“We want to deliver the very best for them. We want to ensure that they have the same opportunities as other children, and we want to help them make good choices and support them with their aspirations. For me, this should be the judge of the success or failure of this administration.”

Cllr Paul Arnott, Seaton and Colyton, was confirmed as deputy leader and will also be responsible for local government reorganisation and water quality.

Another of the new cabinet’s high-profile roles goes to Cllr Dan Thomas (South Brent & Yealmpton) who will hold the highways brief. 

Cllr Brazil said: “Potholes are one of our top priorities. We’ve got to sort out highways maintenance,  and the plague of potholes on our roads. If we can, we should bring the contract back in-house. As we saw with rubbish collection in the South Hams, if you outsource one of your core services, when things go wrong you’ve lost control.  We have a huge task ahead of us, I recognise that, but we’re all very excited to get on with the job.”

Cllr Brazil, who was first elected to the county council in 2005, will lead a minority Lib Dem administration following the local elections earlier this month.

The elections left DCC under no single party control – of the 58 council areas (60 seats) the Lib Dems won the most with 27, but that left them just short of the 31 councillors needed to gain overall control.

Cllr Brazil added “There needs to be a change of culture; Devon must be more outward looking. For too long it has been far too insular, and that mentality has got to change. 

 “We’ve got to do it differently. So many people have told me that they just want us all to work together for the good of our communities. 

“I agree, it’s the right way forward. It doesn’t matter what political tribe you’re from, if your top priority is to do what’s best for your community then we’re on the same side. Too much time and energy can be wasted over petty political squabbles when we should be focused on delivering the services residents expect.

“Councillors should vote on each issue, putting their communities first. Party politics should not feature. Of course, we’re going to have our disagreements, but robust debate is good for democracy. If our shared goal is to make Devon a better place, we’re going to agree on most things.”

The Lib Dems have pledged to work with all party groups, particularly with the Green Party, which has six councillors and whose leader, Cllr Jacqui Hodgson (Totnes), is now a cabinet member.   

Cllr Hodgson is responsible for climate change and biodiversity, which includes transportation, such as improvements to the bus network and delivery of electric vehicle chargers.

Other appointments are Cllr Richard Keeling (Chudleigh & Teign Valley) who will be the cabinet member for adult services.

The finance brief will be the responsibility of Cllr James Buczkowski (Cullompton & Bradninch).

Cllr Simon Clist (Willand & Uffculme) will be the cabinet member for assets and resources, a brief that includes economy and skills, while Cllr Cheryl Cottle-Hunkin will be responsible for rural affairs, which will include the delivery of broadband.

Cllr Caroline Leaver (Barnstaple South) is the new chair of the council, taking over from former council leader John Hart and Cllr Rosie Dawson (Dawlish) is the new vice chair.

Councillors of all parties paid tribute to the outgoing chair, Cllr Hart for his 36 years of service – 32 as a councillor – which includes a period as the leader of the opposition, cabinet member for education and 15 years as council leader.

Cllr Brazil thanked Cllr Hart, a fellow South Hams councillor, for their close working relationship over many years particularly on the Highways and Traffic Orders Committee, while leader of the conservative group, Cllr Andrew Leadbetter and a former cabinet colleague, wished him a happy retirement and said he was a ‘fair, firm hand on the tiller.’

Cllr Hodgson thanked him for supporting her previous call to declare a Devon Climate Emergency while Cllr Fife Cook, leader of the Reform group, said how much he appreciated his recent advice following his election.