TEIGNMOUTH town council has bucked district-wide trends by attracting new blood in this May's town and parish elections. In Teignmouth, 28 candidates will be vying for 12 seats, representing its Central, East and West wards. Long-serving Central ward member and former mayor Cllr Mary Strudwick is standing down after more than ten years with the town council. She is an honorary alderman and former chairman of Devon County Council and a former district council member. East ward member, Cllr Susan Dawe is not seeking re-election. She has been credited with pushing forward the new flood defence scheme for the town after the last was rejected three years ago. Dawlish Town Council will hold on to its Quality status after managing to attract enough candidates to fill its 16 seats. The only contest will be in its North East ward where there are five candidates after four seats. There was a call earlier this year for new members after several members announced they would step down. Many of the surrounding parishes will co-opt. Most marked is Bishopsteignton, where just six people have come forward for the 11-strong council. Among those not seeking re-election is chairman Joan Rooke (see pages 60 and 61). Starcross faces a shortfall of four, Kenn and Ide are lacking two, and Exminster, Shaldon and Stokeinteignhead each have one too few. Shaldon says goodbye to Cllr Ron Evans, a serving councillor for six years. The 70 year-old said: 'It's time to let someone a bit younger have a go.' He was one of the first councillors with the then newly-formed Teignbridge Council in 1974, representing West Ward, Teignmouth. He moved to Manchester for 20 years but later joined Shaldon Parish Council. Cllr Evans has been raised Shaldon's profile. in recent years. He will continue with the village's flood defence liaison group.
