FORMER mayor Philip Sanders has blamed himself for getting voted off Tavistock Town Council two years ago and said he was trying to get back on it to complete unfinished business.

He told the latest meeting of the town council that he did not do enough ‘canvassing and leafleting’ during the 2019 elections.

The Devon county councillor was being interviewed during a public session of the town council, held to fill a vacancy left by the resignation of former south-east ward member Graham Parker, who stepped down because of health reasons.

Cllr Sanders was one of two candidates for the single seat on the authority and told Tavistock councillors that he had a strong connection with the town, having moved there in 1974.

The former Tavistock College governor, who is also on the Dartmoor National Park Authority board, said: ‘During the 2019 elections, I was not successful because of a lack of attention.

‘I had a lot of personal things going on in my life at the time and I didn’t do enough canvassing, or leafleting or knocking on doors.

‘I began to realise that I still had unfinished business (as a town councillor) and that I still have plenty to offer. Anybody who knows me will say that I still have the commitment, the enthusiasm and the time and I will work hard.’

Cllr Sanders said he supported attempts to introduce a neighbourhood plan in Tavistock, as it would give the community a say on its future needs in the town.

He said because there was not a plan currently in operation, the town had missed out on opportunities and added: ‘Employment opportunities are what we need, because if we want to keep young people here, we have to give them a job and somewhere to live.’

However, town councillors, in a ballot, confirmed by a second vote, decided to co-opt local businesswoman Trudy Eperon, who was unable to be at the meeting because of a prior engagement, onto to the authority.

Mother of two Miss Eperon, who has a large extended family in the town and runs the Lemon Grove Cafe, said afterwards: ‘I love being part of the community that is Tavistock and I care deeply about the town, its people and the landscape it is set in.

‘I love to be involved with local projects and I am a trustee for Tavistock Scrapstore, on the steering group for the Tavy Fridge and run the Tavistock Home Educators group. I enjoy organising events and raising money for charity, the biggest event being EcoFest 2019 which brought together many people and local groups in the community in a celebration of sustainability. We are currently planning Ecofest 2022.

The former teacher added: ‘I am very excited to be part of the decision-making processes that will shape the town for young people, including my own children, and future generations. I am also looking forward to learning more about how decision-making takes place where there is conflict between protecting a place we love but also allowing it to grow. In return I hope to bring a different perspective, creative ideas and new solutions to the table.

‘As a resident, parent of primary school age children, ex-teacher and business owner I feel I will be well placed to stand for quite a large demographic of the town.’