Getting to know your Town Councillors – Cllr. Margaret Brown

I was elected to Great Torrington Town Council in 1997 and quickly got involved in local issues, the most controversial being the awful smell from the local rendering factory. I was chair of the Residents Association on Dartington Fields at that time, and with their backing and the late Peter Copp we persuaded the District Council to employ a lawyer to take the problem to the High Court. We won fresh air for Torrington, which we all now enjoy in our Town.
I have a keen interest in planning issues, and I still view all the local applications to date keeping an eye on how they affect our Town.

In 1999 I became a District Councillor and was Chair of TDC for 4 years and enjoyed sitting on the Planning Committee. I served a total of 25 years with TDC.

Housing and local needs is another area of interest, and I was involved in the transfer
of Torridge Housing to Westward Housing Association, bringing properties up to standard, whilst also recognising the need for affordable homes.

My greatest honour was being awarded Freewoman of Great Torrington by our Council in
March 2023, the award is now framed and has pride of place on my wall along with some special photos of my times as Mayor.
Torrington Town Council is certainly a forward-looking Council, exploring how to improve services and the well-being of all our residents for the future.
I have so far completed 28 years as a town councillor, which has gone by in-a-flash, but I’ve enjoyed every minute.