Tories take over regional assembly

12:16pm Monday 21st July 2008

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The Conservative group have stepped forward to take up the chairmanship of the South West Regional Assembly, taking over from the Liberal Democrats.

Sir Simon Day was elected by all Members to become the new Chairman at the Full Assembly Meeting on 18 July 2008. He will take forward the work of the Assembly for the next two years.

Sir Simon Day steps up from his previous role as Deputy Chairman of the Assembly. He has been a Devon County Councillor since 1964, where he represents the areas of Thurlestone, Salcombe & Allington. He became Chairman of the Council in 2001 having served as Leader in 1991-1993. In addition to this, he is Vice Chair of the UK Delegation to the Committee of the Regions of the European Union.

On taking up his new role at the Assembly, Sir Simon thanked the outgoing Chair Councillor Jill Shortland for the work she had done in driving the work of the Assembly forward.

In reaction to his nomination, Councillor Sir Simon Day said: "I am delighted to have been appointed to the role of Chairman of the Regional Assembly. I have been an Assembly Member for a number of years and during that time we have delivered a lot, including the Draft Regional Spatial Strategy which sets out the long term plan for the region"

"I am keen that the South West continues to have its voice heard and am prepared to take on the challenges we face over the next couple of years as changes to the structures of regional and local government come into place."

A new deputy chair and vice chairs were also appointed. Taking up the role of Deputy Chair is Councillor Helen Holland (Labour, Bristol City Council). The Vice Chairs have been confirmed as Councillor Keith Ross (Independent, West Somerset Council), Councillor Humphrey Temperley (Liberal Democrat, Devon County Council), and Chris Irwin (Social, Environmental and Economic Partners, TravelWatch South West).