Teignmouth Town Council is back up to its full complement of twelve councillors following the co-option of Keith Underhill and Colin Baigent at a meeting last night (May 13).

Teignmouth Chamber of Trade and Commerce chair Keith Underhill will represent the central ward on Teignmouth Town Council.

Other candidates vying for the central ward councillor role were: former town and district councillor Alison Eden; Neil Stapleton; and Ed Winsborrow.

Labour party member Colin Baigent was co-opted to represent the west ward on Teignmouth Town Council. He was competing against Teignbridge District councillor Andrew MacGregor for the post.

Representing the central ward, Keith said he hoped to act as a conduit between the council and businesses in the town. ‘Currently, there is a feeling that it’s them and us. This needs to be put right. We need to work together,’ he said.

A regular at council meetings for many years, Keith also noted that he sees a divide between councillors serving the town and he urged the town council to work together for the community. ‘I want to be involved to put things right,’ he commented.

Teignmouth’s new west ward councillor, Colin Baigent, is also keen that the town council works together for the benefit of residents. Colin, who recently stood in the Devon County Council elections as the Labour candidate for the Kingsteignton and Teign Estuary ward, said he planned to use his commercial experience in aviation to ensure the town gets value for money, irrespective of party politics.

The two vacancies on Teignmouth Town Council arose followed the resignation of Steven Walsh in December and former deputy mayor Chloe Myers in January.

Teignmouth mayor councillor Cate Williams thanked everyone who had stood for co-option for their participation and the ideas they had suggested for taking the town council forward.