CREDITON Mayor Cllr Frank Letch, who is also a Mid Devon District Councillor for the town, is the new Liberal Democrat Devon County Councillor for Crediton.

Cllr Letch received 1,811 votes, the other candidates, Martin Binks (Conservative) receiving 1,645, Eli Bold (Labour) 543 and Christopher Hurley (Freedom Alliance) 95.

A total of 4,153 ballot papers were issued and turnout was 39.75 per cent.

The Green Party did not field a candidate in the seat, which is believed to have assisted Mr Letch.

The Crediton seat was previously held by long-serving Liberal Democrat Nick Way.

Speaking immediately after the count at the Lords Meadow Leisure Centre in Crediton, Mr Letch said: "On behalf of all of the candidates I would like to thank the Returning Officer and all the staff today and last night who worked here from 10pm until 4am.

"They have had to cope with difficult conditions due to the social distancing restrictions and done a fantastic job.

"Personally I would like to thank my wife for her support and help with deliveries, my agent, Steve, Bob Wright, Phil Bourne and others who have helped.

"I know the position carries a lot of responsibility for the people of Crediton, Cheriton Bishop, Yeoford, Bow, Hittisleigh and other parts of the constituency and I have already started engaging with residents.

"I received three emails recently and was able to help solve one person’s problem before I was elected.

"I said to Natalia that it will be a change for us and I promise to see it as a full-time job.

"Thank you to those who voted for me and to those who did not.

"I will endeavour to represent all of you to the best of my ability."

Mr Letch said that canvassing had been a great way of losing weight, having visited so many people across the community.

He added that he was always careful about social distancing during his visits, standing back from doorsteps having rung many doorbells and knocked on so many doors.

Mr Letch said he looked forward to representing the town at County Hall and doing so with some humour.

CREEDY TAW AND MID EXE

In the Devon County Council Creedy, Taw and Mid Exe Ward, the sitting councillor, Mrs Margaret Squires (Conservative), increased her majority and number of votes to retain her seat.

Mrs Squires has held the seat for eight years and previously also served for four years as a county councillor.

She received 2,798 votes with Paul Edwards (Green Party) receiving 946.

David Wilson (Liberal Democrats) received 784 with Thomas Stephenson (Labour) polling 477 and Ann Conway (Freedom Alliance) 103.

A total of 5,156 ballot papers were issued and turnout was 46.58 per cent.

Mrs Squires was thrilled with the result and said it was "overwhelming".

She thanked the Returning Officer and staff and all who voted for her.

She said that she looked forward to helping Devon County Council in its efforts to achieve its climate and "green" agenda and praised the work of Devon Conservatives Leader Cllr John Hart.

Mrs Squires spoke of the difficulties of canvassing during the pandemic and said she really valued the support she had received.

MID DEVON DISTRICT COUNCIL

TAW WARD

In the Mid Devon District Council Taw Ward there were just two candidates standing for the one seat made vacant by the sad death of sitting councillor John Daw.

The candidates were Peter Heal (Conservative) and Mark Wooding (Liberal Democrats).

Mr Heal was elected with 418 votes, Mr Wooding receiving 234.

A total of 662 ballot papers were issued and turnout was 47.59 per cent.

Peter Heal is an experienced parish and district councillor, who represented a neighbouring ward at Mid Devon from 2011-2019. He was part of an administration that improved recycling services and ended domestic waste going to landfill.

Prior to the election he said that if elected he would give our small, rural communities a strong voice.

Mr Heal said he was "absolutely thrilled" to be returning to Mid Devon District Council and hoped to return to the planning committee, planning issues being a particular interest for him.

Mr Heal represented the Yeo Ward from 2011 to 2019 and stood for the Sandford and Creedy Ward after that but was not elected.

He said he was looking forward to the challenge of being a councillor again and thanked all who had supported him.

He told electors from his ward: "You know where I am. Please contact me if you have a problem and I will do all I can to help.

"I look forward to helping anyone where I can."

He extended thanks to Cllr Clive Eginton for his support with his campaign, as well as other members and the members of the Coldridge branch of the Conservative Party who delivered many leaflets for him.

"I am looking forward to getting back," he explained.

DEVON COUNTY COUNCIL

CULLOMPTON AND BRADNINCH

In the Devon County Council Cullompton and Bradninch Ward the results were: John Berry (Conservatives) 1,861 (re-elected), Andrea Glover (Liberal Democrats) 765, Edward Southerden (Labour) 411 and Hannah Watson (Green Party) 449.

A total of 3,509 ballot papers were issued and turnout was 33.85 per cent.

WEST DEVON

In the Devon County Council Hatherleigh and Chagford ward the results were: Lynn Daniel (Green Party) 1,142, George Dexter (Liberal Democrats) 458, James McInnes (Conservatives) 2,355 (re-elected), Matt Morton (Reform UK) 89 and Douglas Smith (Labour) 330.

A total of 4,406 votes were recorded and turnout was 41.93 per cent.

In the Devon County Council Okehampton Rural the results were: Terry Edwards (Labour) 424, Patrick Gilbert (Liberal Democrats) 235, Tony Leech (Independent) 948, Bob Rush (Reform UK) 90, Lois Samuel (Conservatives) 1,942 (elected) and Brian Wood (Green Party) 552.

Votes recorded were 4,238 and turnout was 36.42 per cent.

NORTH DEVON

In the Devon County Council Chulmleigh and Landkey ward the results were: Valerie Cann (Labour) 208, Paul Henderson (Conservatives) 1,523 (elected), Turtle Knight (Freedom Alliance) 55, Glyn Lane (Independent) 620, Philip Mason (Independent) 83, Victoria Nel (Liberal Democrats) 431 and Nick Withers (Green Party) 447.

In the Devon County Council South Molton ward the results were: Steve Cotton (Independent) 233, Steven Hinchcliffe (Labour) 303, Gill Saunders (Green Party) 272, Val Schenn (Freedom Alliance) 77, Alex White (Liberal Democrats) 918 and Jeremy Yabsley (Conservatives) 2,139 (re-elected).

TEIGNBRIDGE

In the Devon County Council Bovey Rural ward the results were: George Gribble (Conservatives) 2,004 (re-elected), Eoghan Kelly (Independent) 460, Sally Morgan (Liberal Democrats) 881, Anna Presland (Green Party) 378 and Lisa Robillard Webb (Labour) 522.

In the Devon County Council Chudleigh and Teign Valley ward the results were: Jerry Brook (Conservatives) 1,704 (re-elected), Richard Keeling (Liberal Democrats) 1,479, Emily Simcock (Green Party) 674 and Rick Webb (Labour) 485.

TORRIDGE

In the Devon County Council Holsworthy Rural ward the results were: Claire Davey-Potts (Liberal Democrats) 328, Jim Lowe (Labour) 398, James Morrish (Conservatives) 2,927 (re-elected), Cathrine Simmons (Green Party) 425 and Pete Watson (Independent) 873.

In the Devon County Council Torrington Rural ward the results were: Chris Bright (Liberal Democrats) 993, Ruth Funnell (Green Party) 454, Andrew Saywell (Conservatives) 2,518 (re-elected) and Siobhan Stride (Labour) 592.

In North Tawton the Neighbourhood Plan Referendum results were: 87 per cent Yes (484 votes), 12 per cent No (66 votes).

Votes recorded was 556 and overall turnout was 35.21 per cent.

This means that the Neighbourhood Plan will be adopted by West Devon Borough Council and will have meaning with regard to any planning or other decisions made about North Tawton.