Paul Arnott for Coly Valley
Paul has lived in East Devon for more than a quarter of a century, and in Colyton with his family for over twenty years. Locally, he led the committee which built the Reece Strawbridge Centre where he remains the chair of trustees, and for many years was a youth football coach. He became a reforming parish councillor in 2007 and your district councillor for the Coly Valley 2019.
In May 2020, just as the Covid crisis was beginning, Paul was asked by fellow councillors to lead a Democratic Alliance of LibDems, Independents and Greens at EDDC. He has been Leader for the last three years. As Leader, he made sure that millions of pounds in Covid recovery funds went to local businesses and took on Conservative interest groups in Planning and Development by shutting down EDDC’s involvement in the unaccountable Greater Exeter Strategic Plan.
His administration is unique in Devon’s districts in not having to plunder reserves to balance the books. This stands in stark contrast to the Conservative run County Council, which has a huge deficit, is on the verge of being put into special measures, and has been condemned for failed children’s services.
At East Devon, Paul created new economic strategies from Tourism to Culture & Entertainment. He is particularly focussed on growth in the Axe Valley. His administration has identified the outstanding Seaton Tramway as the future management for the closed Seaton Jurassic Centre, a Conservative mess, which should reopen this time next year. Crucially, his administration has begun a new housing strategy where truly affordable homes for people of all ages will be central if re-elected in the next four-year strategy.
Paul publicly backed Richard Foord to become our new MP last year, joining the LibDems to do so, and as Leader and MP they have made very strong advocates for East Devon nationally.