Town council bids farewell to retiring councillors

Members of Wellington Town Council who are stepping down from public office have been honoured for their years of service in a presentation at Monday’s council meeting (April 2).
Town council chairman Councillor Dave Mitton thanked councillors Mrs Valerie Byrne, Gary James and Steve Palmer for their achievements and presented the retiring councillors with Wellington Town Council plaques in recognition of their work.
Councillor Byrne, who is a former chairman of the town council, has served a total of 12 years over two periods on the council.
Councillor James has served on the council for past four years and Councillor Palmer, who was co-opted to the council during the past term of office, has served for two years.
The chairman also presented a silver salver to Councillor Ernie Warren who was retiring after 36 years as a Wellington councillor.
Councillor Warren was first elected in 1971 onto the former Wellington Urban District Council and has served on Wellington Town Council after its formation following the local government re-organisation in 1974.
He is also a past chairman of the town council and was also the first Wellington councillor to be elected as Mayor of under the new Taunton Deane regime.
Councillor Dave Mitton said: “Ernie has contributed more than 36 years of sterling service with many notable achievements and has represented the council on a number of external bodies both within and outside Wellington.
“We would like to present you with this salver to mark all your years of hard work.”
Fellow councillors Ross Henley and Andy Govier also paid tribute to Councillor Warren’s years of service in particular for looking after Rockwell Green interests.

Pic cap – Town council chairman Cllr Dave Mitton presents Councillors Mrs Valerie Byrne, Gary James and Steve Palmer with Wellington Town Council plaques for their work.

Pic cap - Town council chairman Cllr Dave Mitton presents Councillor Ernie Warren with a silver salver for his work.