Cllr Polly Colthorpe has represented the ward of Way which includes the parishes of Cheriton Fitzpaine, Cruwys Morchard and Poughill since 2015.
Polly was first elected to the Clare and Shuttern ward of Mid Devon District Council in 2003, and re-elected in 2007, 2011 and 2023. Elected to the county division of Tiverton West (which includes Clare and Shuttern) in 2009 she was re-elected in 2013 and 2017 but had to stand down in 2021 .
Formerly portfolio-holder for Planning and Regeneration at Mid Devon and Deputy Leader, Cllr Colthorpe chaired the Planning Committee for 10 years from May 2012 - 2022. In her twelve years as a Devon County Councillor, Cllr Colthorpe was Vice Chair of all the major committees in turn except for Health and Wellbeing. Polly was made an honorary alderman on standing down from Devon County Council.
Away from politics, Polly ran an equestrian yard for 30 years, breeding, breaking, teaching and looking after her own and other peoples' horses. She hunted with the Tiverton Foxhounds and the Tiverton Staghounds; walked several dozen hound puppies for the Taw Vale Beagles, Lawrence Clark's Basset Hounds and the T.S.H. She also ran the 200 Club and the then annual hunter trials for the T.S.H.
Polly has sat on the board of charity, Involve for 12 years, and is now a Trustee. She was elected Chair in February 2024. Involve is Mid Devon’s Council for Voluntary Service, supporting and promoting voluntary and community action across Mid Devon.
You can contact Polly on [email protected]