AFTER two terms as mayor of Holsworthy, Cllr Nigel Kenneally has handed over the robes to his successor.

Cllr Kenneally, who recently lost his bid to be elected as a Devon County Council member for Holsworthy Rural by a narrow margin, has been the mayor of his town for the past two years.

However, in the annual meeting of the town council, held on May 7, he confirmed that he had decided to step down after the two years while remaining a town councillor for the area.

His successor will be Cllr Jon Hutchings, himself a former mayor in addition to being the landlord of the White Hart Hotel in the town and one of the figures behind Holsworthy Mutual Aid, a voluntary group in the town founded during the coronavirus pandemic which aims to provides assistance and support to those who need it.

Cllr Hutchings said that with a relatively new council and the prospect of change in the wider political horizon, unchartered waters could lie ahead and warned of potentially ‘difficult decisions’ to come in the year ahead. He added that he was looking forward to serving the town.

Announcing his departure, Cllr Kenneally said that he was thankful to the councillors and staff at Holsworthy Town Council for their ‘advice and dedication’ to the town.

He said: “Monday, May 7 was my last night serving as Mayor of Holsworthy. It has been the absolute honour of my life being mayor of the greatest town in Devon for the last two years. I would like to thank my partner Stef O’ Brien and my family for all their support.

“I'd like to thank my fellow councillors and the Holsworthy Town Council staff for all their advice and dedication to this town but most importantly I'd like to thank you the people of Holsworthy for being the greatest community there is!

“I'd would like to wish our new mayor, Cllr Jon Hutchings all the best for the upcoming year. I know he's just as proud of this town as I am and will serve it once again with all the enthusiasm and dedication he has!”

Speaking after taking over the mayoralty, Cllr Jon Hutchings, the new mayor of Holsworthy said: “I feel honoured once again to return to the role of mayor of Holsworthy. It is a great privilege and one I take very seriously. We have a great community spirit here in Holsworthy and I hope to keep building on it.

“We have a fairly new council, but very willing councillors and great support staff which always helps when being the mayor. We are heading into unchartered waters with devolution and probably a few battles ahead when we as a council will have to make some tough decisions when it comes to towns assets.

“Undoubtedly the responsibilities of local councillors will grow and this is something I look forward to. I love a challenge and I love our town of Holsworthy, two points that will make it a very interesting year in office.”