Conservatives take control of Devon County Council
The Conservatives have taken control of Devon County Council in a decisive election victory.
The Conservatives won 41 of the 62 council seats.
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The Liberal Democrats were left with 14 seats and Labour hung on to four. There are two independent councillors and one Green.
The turnout was bigger than expected for a local election at 43.9%, with more than 255,000 votes being cast.
Across the county 41.9% of the votes went to the Conservatives, 29.9% to the Liberal Democrats, and 6.1% to Labour. Of the smaller parties, the UK Independence Party polled 9%, the Green Party received 6.8% of the vote, and 4.6% went to Independent candidates.
In North Devon and Torridge there are now nine Conservative county councillors, three Liberal Democrats and one independent.
Previously there had been 10 Liberal Democrat and three Tories.
In North Devon the Liberal Democrats lost several seats to the Conservatives.
Former council leader Brian Greenslade held onto his seat in Barnstaple North for the Liberal Democrats, despite his party losing control of the council.
After the scale of the Tory victory became apparent Mr Greenslade said: "I am very sorry for my good colleagues who have missed out. It was a much smaller turnout than the last county election.
"The parliamentary expenses scandal has had a massive effect and there have been lots of protest votes as a result. I am happy that I have held onto my seat which I have had now for 24 years.
"I will continue to fight for North Devon as a member of the county council."
Barnstaple North: Earl Bramley Howard (Green) 586; Mark Michael Robert Cann (Labour) 202; Paul Dyer (Communist Party of Britain) 74; Brian Carol Greenslade (Liberal Democrat) 1,558; Simon Peter Harvey (Conservative) 1,215. There were 31 spoiled papers and the turnout was 34.8%.
In Fremington Rodney Cann, who stood as an independent after being deselected by the Conservatives, was re-elected. He polled 749 votes more than the Tory candidate John Gill.
Mr Cann said: "The people of Fremington have given their answer — I am elated by this result.
"I have dedicated many years to Fremington and will enjoy this new found freedom away from party ties.
"I've never had so many offers of help and support in all my years as a councillor. Local people do not like the way that the Conservative party has treated me and have obviously voted accordingly."
Fremington Rural: Rodney Sheridan Cann (Independent) 1,559 (elected); Rob Cornish (Green) 217; John Anthony Gill (Conservative) 810; Alec Millgate (UK Independence Party) 625; Charlie Piper (Liberal Democrat) 442; Jean Doreen Smalley (Labour) 115.
There were 21 spoiled papers and the turnout was 45.6%.
The last result to be announced was the Chulmleigh and Swimbridge seat, which has a recount because the result was so close.
Liberal Democrat Joe Tucker lost his seat to Conservative Richard Edgell by just 41 votes.
Mr Edgell said: "I am exhausted — this has been a marathon.
"I am proud and honoured to be selected by the people of Chulmleigh and Swimbridge and have worked flat out for the past month. It is a massive patch containing 19 parishes."
Chulmleigh & Swimbridge: Cliff Bell (Independent) 557; Richard Colin Edgell (Conservative) 1,860; L'Anne Knight (Green) 426; Edward Albert Lopez (Labour) 82; Joe Tucker (Liberal Democrat) 1,819. There were 17 spoiled votes and the turnout was 50.8%.
In Braunton Tory Caroline Chugg took the seat from the Liberal Democrats.
Mrs Chugg said: "I'm delighted to have taken the seat. I will work very hard for all in my area, regardless of politics, and will do the best I can. I want to thank all who have helped with my campaign."
Braunton Rural: Mark Charles Alexander (Liberal Democrat) 1,193; Valerie Jean Cann (Labour) 200; Caroline Chugg (Conservative) 1,587 (elected); Stephen Crowther (UK Independence Party) 715; Matt Knight (Green) 263; Gary Leon Marshall (British National Party Protecting British Jobs) 91. There were 20 spoiled votes and a 49.3% turnout.
Jeremy Yabsley held his seat in South Molton for the Conservatives.
South Molton Rural: Elizabeth Mary Burton (UK Independence Party) 714; Jerry Martin Dean Fox (Labour) 85; Jackie Morningmist (Green) 235; David John Worden (Liberal Democrat) 1,462; Jeremy Owen Yabsley (Conservative) 1,689 (elected). There were 16 spoiled papers and the turnout was 46.4%.
The Conservatives won the Torrington Rural seat from the Liberal Democrats.
Torrington Rural: Andy Boyd (Conservative) 2,027 (elected); Gabriel Hummerstone (UK Independence Party) 1,088; Geoff Lee (Liberal Democrats) 1,317; Cathrine Hannah Simmons (Green) 359.
There were 26 spoiled papers and the turnout was 45.56%.
In Barnstaple South Chris Haywood held onto his seat for the Liberal Democrats.
Barnstaple South: Chris Haywood (Liberal Democrat) 1,375 (elected); David Graham Luggar (Conservative) 1,099; Danny Neary (Labour) 111; Michael Edward Pagram (UK Independence Party) 836; Michelle Watkin (Green) 343. There were 18 spoiled papers among the 3,764 votes. The turnout was 36.8%
In Holsworthy Rural the Conservatives took the seat formerly held by the late Des Shadrick.
Holsworthy Rural: Gordon Bray (Labour) 127; Keith Funnell (Green) 490; Ken James (Liberal Democrat) 1,580; Barry Michael Parsons (Conservative) 2,624 (elected). There were 50 spoiled and the turnout was 47.2%.
In Bideford South & Hartland Liberal Democrat Humphrey Temperley lost his seat to Conservative candidate Alison Boyle.
Bideford South & Hartland: Alison Jane Boyle (Conservative) 1,272; David George Brenton (Labour) 220; Tony Inch (Liberal Party) 356; Robin Julian (UK Independence Party) 981; Humphrey Temperley (Liberal Democrats) 881.
There were 28 spoiled papers and a turnout of 38%.
In Combe Martin Conservative Andrea Davis held onto her seat.
Combe Martin Rural: Andrea Vivienne Davis (Conservative) 1,972; Edward John Duley (Labour) 75; Yvette Gwendoline Gubb (Liberal Democrat) 1,305; Mike Harrison (Green) 365.
There were 30 spoiled papers and the turnout was 45.5%.
In Bideford East Liberal Democrat Hugo Barton lost his seat to Conservative Sam Robinson.
Bideford East: Hugo Rowlands Barton (Liberal Democrat) 893; Anne Brenton (Labour) 245; Caroline Brigette Church (Liberal Party) 648; Gaston Amédée Dezart (UK Independence Party) 750; Sam Robinson (Conservative) 1081 (elected). 22 spoled 36.9 turnout.
In Northam Andrew Eastman won the seat for the Tories, which had previously been held by Liberal Democrat Len Ford.
Northam: Andrew John Eastman (Conservative) 1,980 (elected); David Leonard Johnson (UK Independence Party) 1,084; Keith Owen (Labour) 204; Kay Renton (Liberal Democrat)1,058. There were 4,300 votes cast and the turnout was 43%. There were 46 spoiled papers.
In Ilfracombe the Liberal Democrat candidate Geoff Fowler was re-elected.
Ilfracombe: David Beagley (UK Independence Party) 667; Geoff Fowler (Liberal Democrat) 1,195 (elected); John Hextall (Green) 189; David Moore (British National Party Protecting British Jobs) 110; Doreen Tonkin (Labour) 67; Paul Yabsley (Conservative) 819. A total of 3,064 votes were cast, a turnout of 34 per cent. There were 17 spoilt ballot papers.
Hatherleigh and Chagford: Gillian Mary Elston (Liberal Democrat) 1,270; James Raymond McInnes (Conservative) 2,822 (elected); Debbie Phelps (UK Independence Party) 958.
Turnout: 50.7%. Rejected papers: 23.
Okehampton Rural: Rachel Clare Lyons (Labour) 168; Christine Marie Marsh (Conservative) 2,473 (elected); Roger Fauset Welsh (UK Independence Party) 857; John Young (Liberal Democrat) 1,426.
Turnout: 45.8%. Rejected papers: 18.
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by Charles, North Devon
Wednesday, June 17 2009, 8:22PM
“I know and agree with J.Bell. She is a unique lady, having only 1 husband and 2 dogs, unlike the majority of us who have only 2 dogs! But i do support her in her battle with wind turbines”
by JOANNE BELL, Yelland
Thursday, June 11 2009, 8:44AM
“Sir,
I must Protest! I have just been telephoned by a friend who informs me that someone may be masquerading as "me" the unique, one-off, charming and delightful "Joanne Bell" known locally for disliking Wind Turbines and The Green Party in no particular order. I have made no comment on this "comment page" neither has my husband. Surely, "Joanna from Devon" should now have the courage and backbone to identify herself by simply giving her full name to avoid confusion. As she is just about the only person to support wind turbines in North Devon - I shall assume she is a member of The Green Party. Reluctant though I am to "crow" I would point out to Joanna from Devon - that The Green Party were obliterated in the the County Council elections here in North Devon , coming bottom of the poll in every area and were wiped off the Planet in the South West Euro elections! Perhaps that should tell Joanna from Devon what the people here in the South West think about her wind turbines and The Green Party!! Got the message yet Joanna? Neither my husband nor myself belong to any political party and though it might irritate some people - I like and get on with individuals from all Party's. Only recently, did I have the pleasure of having dinner with Mr. Phillip Milton in Croyde and I found him to be quite charming. Nevertheless, as a resident of Fremington Rural - I voted for the Independent Candidate Rodney Cann who did so well in these elections and UKIP who are the only Party to oppose turbines. Incidentally, as a matter of fact, it has been suggested to me that I contact Phillip to ascertain his views on a Euro Candidate being invited into JUNIOR SCHOOLS to give his opinions on WIND TURBINES - a very political and controvercial issue here in North Devon and during the election! No other individual has been invited into JUNIOR SCHOOLS to give the opposite and balanced views. Parish, District and DCC have objected to these wind turbine factories wiping out Devon Landscapes. I absolutely object most strongly to Cllr. Ricky Knight, the Green Party EU candidate going into schools to teach our children that these turbines which wipe out our birds, bats, landscapes and destroy our close knit Devon communities are morally defensible or are a green energy technology. Merely because humans choose to live a totally unsustainable lifestyle - why should other species be wiped out? He then has the audacity to call these bird slicing machines a "green" sustainable way of producing energy ! David Bellemy calls them: "Weapons of Mass Destruction" ! Perhaps Joanna from Devon would care to comment on THAT please? I haven't read all the comments as I am far to busy and am just off to the Turbines Inquiry in South Molton. I am sure here too we will see The Green Party lining up with the power companies - shoulder to shoulder with the multinationals (that Ricky referred to as "climate criminals" on his election sheets when he had the audacity to ask us to vote for him. Ricky is a politican.......
not an environmentalist and as such - I don't want politicians being invited into junior schools to teach our kids - anything! Specially in view of recent months at Westminster.
It was a credit to our democracy that we have finally discovered that "our betters" are nothing more than a bunch or crooks - something that some of us have thought for a long time. I was more than happy with the election results -the exception being the couple of ......... from the BNP (another minority party who did well only because of proportional representation) another Green Party Policy!”
by Mr Ray, Devon
Wednesday, June 10 2009, 9:47PM
“Dear Mr Milton, I totally agree with your sentiment that people from all walks of life should be able to stand for election to parliament.
What I find ironic and sad, is that people with your personal wealth and business interests are much more likely to find themselves sitting in the house of commons than most.”
by Philip Milton, Barnstaple
Wednesday, June 10 2009, 9:28PM
“Dear Joanna
Thanks for the note. Sorry if there is any confusion. Some very practical comments there - no problems with me. I'd go even further in simplicity I think in terms of average costs for average accommodation, etc. How it's then spent wouldn't really 'matter'.
Your comments on a second home in Southampton for a Luton MP are absolutely right - it was not appropriate, alllowed by the rules or not.
Big mortgage interest has been allowed up to the limit. Just think if house prices had been falling (not so unusual) - who would pick up the loss if it wasn't a privately owned home.... we don't want another tax-payer funded Scottish Parliament liability either! regardless, it must be tidied up and l;ike you say, it's not really rocket science to have a clear and appropriate system.
Best wishes”
by Joanna, Devon
Wednesday, June 10 2009, 8:12PM
“Dear Mr Milton, I think we have some crossed wires here. I think you were replying to my comments but you're addressing a Joanna Bell, which sorry, that ain't me! Maybe Ms Bell will see your comments and give her two pennyworth here as well! (I have noticed a few of her letters in the Journal and her views seem quite different from mine - I think windfarms are the best thing since sliced bread and I think her views on them are slightly different!)
However, assuming you were answering my comments, here's a few more.
Obviously no-one would begrudge you a home in London if you did get elected and equally obviously that would cost. However, I think a lot of people would feel a lot happier if these expenses were paid directly to where they were generated. For example if an MP finds a flat to rent then the rent should be paid directly to the letting body, although probably most people would prefer an independent body to arrange accommodation for MPs from outside the London area. MPs living within travelling distance should not be able to claim for 2nd homes. The contrast in the expenses claims of the 2 MPs in Luton illustrated what could be done - on the one hand one MP was travelling in and claiming the minimum and the other, if I remember rightly, was claiming for a house in Southampton. A cliche, but it's not rocket science to see that something ain't quite right there.
I do note that you didn't make any comment on my comments about David Cameron's wisteria (though he hasn't seemed to want to comment on it much either!) but I assume you won't be claiming for geraniums and suchlike for your home in North Devon. As with the wisteria, David Cameron's mortgage payments will presumably be allowed to fade gently into the background. Whether the electorate will allow them to disappear is another matter.”