Wharfedale News
Iain Plumtree leaves post after eight years
7:00am Saturday 18th February 2012
Otley Town Council’s leader has paid tribute to clerk Iain Plumtree, who has announced he will be heading for pastures new this spring.
Mr Plumtree, who has held the role in Otley for more than eight years, will become clerk of Leominster Town Council, in Herefordshire, in April.
Council leader Councillor John Eveleigh (Lab, Ashfield) said they were sure to miss someone who had overseen several key projects, including the council being awarded Quality Council Status in 2008.
Coun Eveleigh said: “I am sorry that Iain is leaving. I have worked with him closely during two separate spells as leader of the council, and I have always valued his advice.
“He has led the town council team from the front, and overseen some major schemes, including decanting the council from the Civic Centre and establishing a new base in the town.”
Coun Eveleigh added that Mr Plumtree’s passion for environmental projects and the green agenda shone through, and had culminated in the council becoming the smallest in Europe to sign the far-reaching Aalborg Commitment – pledging to forge a sustainable community – in 2007.
He said: “I am sure all councillors, of whatever persuasion, and the community generally will want to thank Iain for nearly a decade of service to our town, and to wish him well for the future.”
Mr Plumtree, who became Otley’s town clerk in January 2004, said: “I’ve been here for the best part of ten years and it’s time to look at a new job and a fresh challenge.
“Leominster is a small market town with a similar-sized council and budget, so it’s similar to Otley in lots of ways.
“I’ll miss a lot of people and the environment and landscape of Otley, as it’s a lovely location with a big river flowing through the middle of the town, and on the edge of the Dales.
“I think Herefordshire will struggle to match that. I’ve particularly enjoyed watching Otley begin to address environ-mental concerns and looking at development and housing, whether it be through the community-led or neighbour-hood plan, which I see as key to a town taking control of itself.”
He has previously held council positions in Stornoway and Falkirk.