HAVING served his community for more than 12 years as Holsworthy Rural county councillor, recently retired Barry Parsons has become the latest worthy recipient of one of the county’s highest honours, Alderman of Devon.

Barry was successfully nominated by John Hart, the leader of Devon County Council, as an Alderman of Devon for which the confirmation, and, subsequent celebration was held at Devon County Council Full Council Meeting on Thursday, October 7.

The appointment of Alderman status in Devon is an honorary appointment. It is not one given out very often. So, it is a real privilege to be the recipient of such an honour.

The position of Honorary Alderman is open to any person who, in the eyes of the council, has given eminent service to the area in a public position.

Cllr Hart, paid particular thanks for Barry’s “diligent work as Cabinet Member over the years”, and, commented about Barry’s “relationships with others being exemplary throughout”, adding that “he will certainly be missed”.

As county councillor for Holsworthy these past 12 years Barry said: “I could not have been more grateful nor fortunate to represent the community Holsworthy Rural with all of its 30 parishes which has some wonderful characters, so many of whom have given me such terrific support over the past 14 years.”

Barry was elected to Torridge District Council in 2007 and subsequently became leader of Torridge in 2011. In 2009, Barry was also elected to the county council at which he has been a cabinet member with responsibilities for community engagement, digital transformation and organisational change.

At his last election in 2017 Barry was returned for a third term at the county election (2017) with the largest majority of all county councillors in Devon.

His achievements resulted in him representing the county at national events at the invitation of government in Wales as well as at Westminster and, notably, as an invited speaker at the national ‘Microsoft Future Decoded’ conference at the Excel in London.

For some years Barry held responsibilities including being chair of the Devon County Council investments and pensions fund, chair of member development, and, was the county council representative on Babcock Learning Development Partnership. With areas of his cabinet portfolio including the digitalisation of the council, human resources, legal and communications as well as equality and diversity he has contributed much to the county council progress in recent years.

In retiring, Barry says that the thing he will miss the most is the relationships he has with his community, especially, that of Holsworthy and its parishes and would wish to convey his every best wish and most sincere thanks to everyone here.