Fred Pritchard-Tagg
Being the voice of young people and making local politics accessible for all – two aims of Fred Pritchard-Tagg who’s getting into the swing of things in his role as deputy mayor and councillor at Dartmouth Town Council. So far the well-known Sainsbury’s worker has attended award ceremonies, civic dinners and had tea with cruise ship captains. But he says his top priorities are getting more people involved with the local authority, making it as transparent as possible and perhaps even introducing a youth council. Steph Woolvin had a chat with him…
“I am a firm believer that rather than criticise and moan about something, you should get in there, change it and make a difference yourself.” Fred decided to join Dartmouth Town Council two years ago as he noticed people were becoming quite critical of the authority, blaming it for inaction and what were seen as decisions being made behind closed doors. “I started to agree with some of the complaints then thought, hang on a minute, if I want things to change I need to change them from the inside!” He admits getting his foot through the door wasn’t easy - failing three times to be voted in by members.
But being the tenacious chap he is he decided to give it one more try and was co-opted on to the council in April 2017 following the death of Councillor Roger Chillcot. “At 36, I’m the youngest councillor and see that as a huge advantage as I can be the voice of young people, bringing their concerns to the table and hopefully getting some solutions.” He says young people have a reputation for not being interested in the community around them, their attention diverted by smart phones, TV and video games. But Fred says they have plenty to say and want to be involved.
Through his job at Sainsbury’s Fred has had the opportunity to mix with a wide variety of locals. He’s worked at the store since it opened 10 years ago and has held many different posts including team leader, supervisor, customer services assistant and charity coordinator. It’s here that he met husband Daniel: “We are one of the few Sainsbury’s romances! Quite sweet really,” he says with a blush. He is a familiar face in the store and says people feel comfortable approaching him with their problems from car parking to rubbish collections.
“I think people prefer to chat informally with me on the shop floor rather than going into the council offices which some people find a bit intimidating.” He and Daniel used to hold bingo nights at Townstal Community Hall, and he says this helped him get to know residents at the top of town and find out what matters to them.
Fred went to school in Kingsbridge and was on the town’s youth council. He says they discussed matters alongside the ‘grown ups’ and talked to other young people to find out what concerns they wanted addressing. “It was usually issues like improving parks and recreational grounds with better facilities and equipment. It gave me a taste of local politics and I really enjoyed it. Anti-social behaviour levels dropped during these years and I think a similar thing could be done in Dartmouth.”
He says giving young people a voice will get them engaged in local politics and make the town council more relevant to people under 60. “I think many see the council acting for older people and visitors. Dartmouth does have a rich heritage, an important history and a thriving tourist trade but we also have to look to the future and take care of future generations.” He is pushing the council’s social media presence as he believes if the council wants young people to get involved information needs to go onto Facebook and Twitter, as few will read minutes, agendas or even the Chronicle. “We are a public body, let’s make it all public. Councils should never be secretive, we are the servants of the public, and the public needs to know!”
When the time came to choose the new mayoral party for 2018 Fred put his name down for the Deputy Mayor position. ‘I didn’t think I stood a chance but I don’t step away from a challenge. I was delighted and quite touched when I was voted in. After a shaky start (trying three times to get onto the council) I was thrilled I had made such an impact on my fellow councillors in such a short space of time!’ It’s my job to support Mayor Rob Lyon, and attend events when he can’t be present such as regatta presentations, civic dinners and the Sea Cadets Awards. I usually take Daniel along as my consort. The best part so far has been visiting cruise ships to present the town plaque and having tea with the captain! Although I didn’t get to board the biggest one that arrived this summer – the Saga Pearl – Rob nabbed that job!”
Fred says if he had to describe himself he would say ‘determined, approachable and honest’. He certainly has the aura of a man who stands by his convictions: “Once I get my teeth into something I won’t let go! I’m happy to say what I think as long as I have a solution or suggestions to make it better. But I’m also happy to take criticism myself. Politics is a two way street, you need to listen to the people as well as be full of your own opinions.”
Fred and Daniel enjoy travelling. They have recently been to Thailand and have also visited Vegas and Grand Canaria. When he isn’t jet setting, absorbed in the world of politics or busy behind the tills, Fred takes children around Sainsbury’s so they can learn more about where food comes from. They get to explore the store behind the scenes, go in the freezer and try foods they may not have had before such as coconut and mango. “They seem to be very interested in the way the store works and like seeing our staff room upstairs! I hope they go home with a few new facts about the way food is processed.”
Sadly we will only see Fred around town for another few months as he and Daniel are moving to Exeter in May. He says he will miss his work and the people he has met. He’s sorry his time on the council will be so short lived, but hopes to leave it a more open, accessible and welcoming authority ready for 2019 and beyond.
First published in By The Dart magazine December 2018