New Devon County Council leader named

The new leader of Devon County Council has been revealed.

James McInnes, the current deputy leader, will take the helm at the Conservative-led council's annual meeting on 23 May.

Cabinet member Andrea Davis, currently in charge of climate change and transport, will become deputy leader.

The new appointments follow the stepping down of long-term leader John Hart, who is due to become chairman of the council at the same meeting.

'World changing fast'

Mr McInnes was first elected to the county council in 2005 and is now in charge of adult social care and health.

He said he had "big boots to fill" and thanked Mr Hart for his time in office.

He said: "The world is changing fast and we need to change to deliver the services that the people of Devon need and deserve in the most appropriate way possible.

"We're in the final stages of agreeing our devolution deal with the government and our relationship and partnership with the district and borough councils is very important.

"As a former borough council leader, I know they are at the heart of our devolution deal in Devon."

Devon County Council and Torbay Council are in the process of submitting a joint bid to government to create a Combined County Authority.

Ms Davis also paid tribute to Mr Hart and said: "We want to continue what he's achieved and get devolution done.

"One of my priorities will be to get the upper tier authorities in the South West to work ever closer together as a region on transport.

"We're up against the North [of England] and other big regions and we are a sparsely-populated peninsula.

"But we need to focus on what's needed for this region to succeed and campaign for that with one voice."

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