Conservatives take control of Devon County Council

By ojones

The Conservatives have taken control of Devon County Council in a decisive election victory.

The Conservatives won 41 of the 62 council seats.

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.