THE NEW chairman of the West Dorset Partnership says he feels ‘privileged’ to be appointed to the role.

Paul Everall CBE, from Bridport, has been welcomed into the new post and has vowed to embrace the challenge of developing community planning in West Dorset.

The former civil servant from Bridport is the chief executive of the Local Authority Building Con-trol, a member organisation representing local authority building control departments across Eng-land and Wales.

He has chaired a number of committees over the years on planning and sustainable construction and also chaired both the District Arts Council and the local theatre when he lived in Berkshire.

Mr Everall said: “I feel privileged to have been appointed chairman of the partnership in a part of the county which I have known for many years and where I have lived since the summer of 2008. Over the last six months I have enjoyed the challenge of helping to foster and develop community planning in West Dorset, and I look forward to continuing to do so.”

Mr Everall takes over the post from David Webb, who stepped down after four years to concentrate on other commitments including leading the Dorset Samaritans.

Mr Webb said: “I have thoroughly enjoyed the challenge of leading the partnership for the last four years, a lot has been achieved, but a lot remains to be done.

“With the current economic situation, partnership working is even more important, but I am confident that Paul will help the development work of West Dorset Partnership partners for the benefit of everyone in West Dorset.”

Mr Webb has overseen the partnership’s development of the West Dorset Climate Strategy in 2009 and the West Dorset Community Plan in 2010. Other projects supported by the partnership include the new electric buses running between Dorchester and Poundbury and a community transport service linking Devon with West Dorset.

For more details about the partnership visit dorsetforyou.com/communityplan/west or call community planning officer Maria Clarke on 01305 252305.