LibDems win 19 of 20 seats at Taunton Council election

The party won 19 of the 20 seats, with just one Conservative councillor elected in yesterday's election (Thursday, May 4).

The result has given the LibDems hope that they will be able to prise the Parliamentary seat from the Conservative at the next General Election.

While there was jubilation in the LibDem camp, it was a depressing night for the Conservatives, whose only successful candidate was Giuseppe Fraschini in Maidenbrook.

Here is the full list of winning candidates.

BLACKBROOK AND HOLWAY.

1 Federica Smith-Roberts (Lib Dem).

2 Sue Lees (Lib Dem).

COMEYTROWE.

1 Judy Stainthorpe (Lib Dem).

2 Simon Lester (Lib Dem).

HALCON AND LANE.

1 Martin Straus (Lib Dem).

2 Ray Tully (Lib Dem).

LYNGFORD.

1 Simon Clarke (Lib Dem).

MAIDENBROOK.

1 Giuseppe Fraschini (Con).

We have won control of @Taunton_TC 😁

We won 19 out of 20 seats.

As the majority party, we promise to work hard for #Taunton and prioritise making it the best it can be through this new council.

Thank you to everyone who voted for us 😊 pic.twitter.com/hViNePmSvI

— Taunton Deane Liberal Democrats (@tdlibdems) May 5, 2023

MANOR AND TANGIER.

1 Bev Fernandes (Lib Dem).

NORTH TOWN.

1 Caroline Ellis (Lib Dem).

OBRIDGE.

1 Tom Deakin (Lib Dem).

PYRLAND.

1 Gemma Evans (Lib Dem).

STAPLEGROVE.

1 Ed Firmin (Lib Dem).

VICTORIA.

1 Richard Lees (Lib Dem).

2 Paul Tooze (Lib Dem).

VIVARY.

1 Amber Packer-Hughes (Lib Dem).

2 Connor Solle (Lib Dem).

WELLSPRINGS AND ROWBARTON.

1 Nick O'Donnell (Lib Dem).

2 Marcia Hill (Lib Dem).

WILTON AND SHERFORD.

1 Vanessa Garside (Lib Dem).

The average turnout was 29.39%, representing 12,254 of the total eligible electorate of 41,701. There were 56 rejected ballot papers.

The new parish council covers the previously unparished area of Taunton, the only part of Somerset not to have a city, town or parish council as a result of local government reorganisation in 1974, and includes the entirety of Comeytrowe Parish, the urban area within the Maidenbrook Ward of Cheddon Fitzpaine Parish, and the majority of Staplegrove Parish.

It will be responsible for street care and cleaning, parks and open spaces (excluding Vivary Park), toilets, events, allotments, and the Mayoralty. It will also be able to comment on planning applications