THE current mayor of Holsworthy is taking the next step in his political career following his recent election as Holsworthy ward member on Torridge District Council.

Jon Hutchings (Conservative), pub landlord, town councillor and mayor, joined his local council seven years ago, after he felt the town’s people were not duly represented by those on the council at the time. He said it is for similar reasons he has decided to take this next step and join Torridge District Council: “Because I want Holsworthy to have a bigger voice at a district council level. I don’t feel we get as much out of Torridge as other towns do and I can be the bigger voice that gets us what we need.

“I joined the town council originally as I didn’t feel there was a true representation of Holsworthy. I’m now moving up to do the same thing.

“Holsworthy is a bit of a lost town at Torridge, we are a bit out of the way and I don’t believe we get our fair share.”

When asked why he is so passionate about his town, he said with a chuckle: “I don’t know, I just am.”

He added: “I guess, I moved here when I was young and having since travelled the world in the Navy I have a real appreciation for my town. I’m very patriotic to our country and I guess that is why I am to my town too. I’ve got my family here, grandparents, parents, wife and children and also my business — this is my home.”

Speaking about the results Cllr Hutchings said he has been surprised the poll wasn’t a lot closer, but was delighted to have the support of the town: “I am delighted. I feel I have done a lot for the town and it is nice to know that people have noticed. I did think the results would have been a lot closer, especially with two candidates from the town standing but things have been very amicable between us.”

Cllr Hutchings is now looking forward to getting stuck in but is aware he will only have until May to prove himself before elections at both town and district level are held. He is keen to continue on as mayor of the town but said he will need to find a balance.

Trying to balance family life, business and politics will be a mammoth task but Cllr Hutchings said he is prepared to give it his all. Asked about his aspirations for the future, and whether he sees a position at Westminster in his future, Cllr Hutchings laughed and said: “No. Not yet. I’m still fairly young and this is all about time for me. As I get older things may change with business or life etc. but at the moment Torridge is as far as I will go.”

Despite already being a busy man, the extra work load does not seem to faze Cllr Hutchings. He said: “It is not necessarily more work, but gives more scope. In my opinion, the more you put in the more you will get out.”

He added: “They always say ask a busy person and you’ll get things done and as mayor I have put a lot more time in than others previously have, but in the next month time will tell whether I stay on the town council or Torridge, or both. I’m a bit of a doer and it may be that the process at Torridge District Council isn’t for me. There are a lot of voices — 35 other councillors — to compete with and fight against and with Holsworthy being the minority in terms of numbers on the council we may struggle. But like I said, time will tell.”

Going forward, Cllr Hutchings said he will be standing by the three main points he set out during his campaign and believes he will now have a strengthened position in which to see them through: “On the flyer we produced for my election campaign I set out the three main things I want to get done and to me the most important of those is the football pitch; I want to put pressure on the importance of setting this site up properly so the space can be utilised — ultimately it is sat there, just a dead piece of land.

“I feel that I now have a strengthened position and carry extra weight as a Torridge District Councillor as well as mayor to see this through.”