I first became a Councillor in 1995.

Full statement

Initially as a Dartmouth Town Councillor & South Hams District Councillor. Including as the Deputy Mayor of Dartmouth, Chairman Corporate Property Committee, Chairman Finance and General-Purpose Committee, a member the Planning Committee on both councils, and also served on the Housing Committee.

During this period my duties included as a non-Executive Director at Tor Housing Association, Dartmouth Primary School governor ,Trustee Dartmouth Special Needs Group , Dartmouth Community College School governor , St Johns Roman Catholic School governor, founder member Dartmouth Youth Council , Dartmouth Youth Club Management Board , Dartmouth Swimming Pool Management Committee, trustee Dartmouth United Charities ,trustee Dartmouth Trust Housing Association ,and Chairman Dartmouth St Johns Ambulance.

I have been a member of Exeter City Councillor since 2003 and Devon County Council since 2005.

In terms of Exeter City Council, my previous experience includes as the Lord Mayor of Exeter, Deputy Lord Mayor, and Lord Mayors Consort. Portfolio Holder for Environment and Leisure, Portfolio Holder for Housing and Community Involvement, Portfolio Holder Housing Revenue Account, Portfolio Holder for Place, and Chair of the Council Governance Review Panel. Currently a member of the Planning Committee, two scrutiny committees and Chair of the Council Housing & Advisory Board.

In terms of Devon County Council, previously Chairman School Transport Appeals Committee, member County Wide Adoption Panel, delegate to the Children’s Safeguarding Improvement Board and Vice Chairman Peoples Scrutiny, Chair Adult Services Overview Group, member of the Children’s Services Overview Group, Devon Waste and Recycling Committee, and Development Management Committee. Also previous chair and long-standing member of Exeter Highways and Traffic Orders Committee.

Currently Leader of the Labour Group, Chair of Children’s Scrutiny, Chair Children’s Services Standing Overview Group, Chair Regional Adoption Agency Scrutiny Board, member Devon and Somerset Fire & Rescue Authority, and Chair of the DSFRA Human Resources and Development Committee.

A founder governor West Exe Children’s Centre, a trustee Heles Educational Trust, and member of the Cooperative Party.

Graduate – Local Government Association Leadership Academy, and Children Services and Adult Services LGA Alumni.

Previously at various times a school governor at Montgomery, Redhills, Bowhill and Cowick First. Member Farm Hill Residents Association, Chair Foxhayes Project Working Group, Chair Exeter Anti-Social Behaviour Action Team, Chair Exeter Social Health and Inclusion Panel, Chair City Wide Grants Panel , and member of the Exeter City Council Major Grants Panel.

A founder trustee & Chair Exwick Community Association. Member and supporter St Thomas Community Association, supporter and activist for the Friends of St Thomas Railway Station, associate member Friends of St Thomas Library, volunteer St Thomas In Bloom Group , previously Exeter City Council Tree warden for Exwick and St Thomas and the community representative on the Exeter Community Forum for Exwick.

Rob adds: “It’s a great privilege to represent Exwick and St Thomas on the County Council. Over the years I have done my best to dedicate my time, energy, passion and efforts to represent and care for my division. We all know that our local area is a very special part of Exeter, we have a real sense of community pride and strong neighbourhoods -together we are a community. Our collective local response to the pandemic continues to be inspiring and heart-warming. If re-elected again I will carry on working hard concentrating on local grass roots issues and neighbourhood concerns with my ward colleagues, and Ben Bradshaw’s team. Thank you for your support.“

Rob is an experienced, serving County Councillor and Leader of the Labour Group at the County Council. His Councillor profile on the Devon County Council website.