Conservative leader of Devon Council to step down after 15 years

The Conservative leader of Devon County Council has announced he is to step down from the post after 15 years.

John Hart became leader of Devon’s then opposition Conservative Group in 2007, winning power in the 2009 election.

Mr Hart said he would leave the council “in a good position with a balanced budget”.

He said: “It is the right time for me to stand down as leader.”

“Devon is the county in which I grew up and have lived all my life, in which I’ve run my family business, got married and raised my children, and it is the county which I love.”

Mr Hart was first elected to his home ward of Wembury and Erme in 1989 and now represents Wembury and Bickleigh after boundary changes.

Sir Gary Streeter, Devon’s longest-serving MP, said Mr Hart had been a “tower of strength” in the life of the county.

Christine Channon, Mr Hart’s predecessor added: “John combines great political skills with a limitless capacity for hard work.

“He will be sorely missed as leader and we all wish him and Rita well for the future.”