Councillor Bernard Hughes OBE announced as new Council Chairman

Devon County Council has announced its new Chairman for the next year.

Outgoing Chairman Councillor Jerry Brook handed over to the Council's new Chairman, Councillor Bernard Hughes OBE at the Full Council meeting.

Councillor Hughes OBE, local member for Exmouth Halsdon and Woodbury for the past 16 years, has served on many of the Council's Committees, and has a long term connection to the Devon and Somerset fire and rescue authority.

His other appointments include membership to the Exmouth Regeneration board as well as his chairmanship of both the Exe Estuary Partnership Management Committee and the Exeter Rail Working Party.

He is also active with charities charity providing support services to disabled people both in his position as Devon County Council Director of the PLUSS organisation and as a trustee of CEDA, an Exeter based charity.

Local businessman Bernard Hughes, who has lived in Devon for 51 years, thanked Councillors at the meeting for his appointment as Chairman.

He said: "I must firstly say how grateful I am for the support shown for me, it is with humility and great pride that I accept this position as chairman of Devon County Council”.

Braunton Rural member Councillor Caroline Chugg has replaced Councillor George Gribble as vice chairman.