Dermot was elected to Derbyshire County Council in May 2021 and serves as Vice Chairman of the Council's Planning Committee.

Having lived and worked in Derbyshire Dales for over 20 years, Dermot counts his blessings every day that he decided to come and live in this wonderful area. There are three of in his family, Sheena, a lecturer at Derby University, and eleven-year-old daughter Alice, who is thriving in a local village school and an enthusiastic member of a number of local clubs.

His working background was in sales, marketing and contract management, where Dermot developed a range of transferable skills which he was able to draw on as a District Councillor to represent local residents. Dermot has demonstrated his ability to work as a team with fellow Councillors, interrogating data and taking decisions which have protected vital services and ensured precious resources are used wisely.  He personally made a difference to the local community helping to find extra funding to support a desperately needed leisure building project that was in jeopardy.  On another occasion Dermot was able to demonstrate the folly of removing the last free car parking and won the day. 

He has already contacted Conservative Police and Crime Commissioner Angelique Foster to highlight concerns in Wirksworth and the surrounding villages about the issues that frustrate and anger people. She has made pledges to provide extra policing to tackle rural crime, Dermot looks forward to working with her to make progress on these important issues.

Dermot has built a reputation as an active Councillor with good communication and problem-solving skills and a drive to get things done.  There is much more for the Conservatives to do at the County Council and he looks forward to taking an active part in delivering our well-developed manifesto.  Dermot has spent time talking to Parish and town council representatives and have a good understanding of what needs addressing in the Wirksworth division.