We have announced the new mayor of West Devon for the next 12 months at today’s Annual Council meeting.
Cllr Debo Sellis, ward member for Tavistock South East, will be the mayor for the coming year. She accepted the chain of office from the outgoing mayor, Cllr Lynn Daniel, after she was voted into the post by fellow councillors.
Pictured: Cllr Debo Sellis, the new mayor of West Devon
Cllr Sellis said: “It’s a great honour to be mayor, representing West Devon Borough Council’s residents. This is why we all do it, for our residents. It’s been a great privilege over the years to help many people. That is why we do it, to help people.
“I couldn’t do that without the help or support of my husband, John, or stalwart friends, including Alderman Diana Moyse, who will be my consort. I am very privileged that you’ve agreed to support me.
“It’s been great to work with Cllr Daniel over the last year as deputy mayor, and it is testament to how hard she worked that I very rarely had to deputise at all. Thank you for all your hard work over the last 12 months.
Pictured: Cllr Lynn Daniel, receiving a pendant to mark her mayoral reign, from new mayor Cllr Debo Sellis.
“My hope is that my charity work will support the Scouts and Brownies. I achieved the Queen’s Guide Badge when I was 13 or 14. It was a lot of hard work, but it stood me in good stead. The laws of the Scout Movement still make me what I am today. The simple promise, that I promise I will do my best to serve other people, is one I still do now.
“I really do look forward to having some fun this year. But we also have a heck of a lot of work to do.”
Cllr Paul Vachon, ward member for Okehampton South, was appointed deputy mayor.
Pictured: Cllr Debo Sellis, the new mayor of West Devon, and new deputy mayor Cllr Paul Vachon.
Each year the Council holds an annual meeting to confirm its new mayor and elect councillors to its committees, including the Hub committee.
The following committee positions were confirmed during the meeting:
Hub Committee
- Cllr Mandy Ewings – Leader
- Cllr Mark Renders - Deputy Leader
- Cllr Adam Bridgewater
- Cllr Chris Edmonds
- Cllr Ursula Mann
- Cllr Neil Jory
- Cllr Jane Elliott
- Cllr Jeff Moody
- Cllr Caroline Mott
Audit and Governance Committee
- Cllr George Dexter - Chairman
- Cllr Robert Oxborough - Vice Chairman
Development Management and Licensing Committee
- Cllr Ric Cheadle - Chairman
- Cllr Terry Southcott - Vice Chairman
Overview and Scrutiny Committee
- Cllr Patrick Kimber - Chairman
- Cllr Christopher West - Vice Chairman
Regeneration and Investment Committee
- Lead Hub Committee Member for Performance & Resources
Council Tax Setting Committee
Cllr Debo Sellis - Chairman
Pictured: Councillors at the Annual Council meeting.
To watch the Annual Council as it happened and learn more about West Devon Full Council, visit our YouTube page.