VOTERS are going to the polls to choose the next county councillor for their area today, Thursday, May 1.

The local elections are going ahead even though Devon County Council will likely cease to exist soon amid an overhaul of local government.

The county council had asked the government to postpone the May polls, but it was not allowed to do so.

The government wants to abolish the county and district council system currently in place in most of Devon and create new large “unitary” councils.

There are six candidates standing in the Crediton division, which covers Crediton, Copplestone, Bow, Cheriton Bishop and Venny Tedburn.

They are Charles Beazley for Reform UK, Jim Cairney for the Liberal Democrats, Angus Howie for the Conservative Party, Wesley Mitchell for the Heritage Party, Rob Rickey for the Green Party, and Paul Vincent for the Labour Party.

Short profiles of the Crediton candidates can be read by visiting: creditoncourier.co.uk/news/meet-the-candidates-vying-to-become-creditons-next-county-councillor-786548.

Liberal Democrat Frank Letch MBE was the county councillor for Crediton until his death at the age of 80 on April 8.

There are four candidates standing for election in the Creedy, Taw and Mid Exe division, which covers Newton St Cyres, Thorverton, Silverton, Bickleigh, Cheriton Fitzpaine, Morchard Bishop, Chawleigh, Coldridge, Zeal Monachorum and Down St Mary. They are Polly Colthorpe for the Conservatives, John William Dean for the Labour Party, Andy Hankins for Reform UK, and Steve Keable for the Liberal Democrats.

There are five candidates standing in the South Molton division, which includes Witheridge and East Worlington. They are Conservative Paul John Henderson, Steven William Hinchcliffe for the Labour Party, Richard Leonard Alan Hopley for Reform UK, Gill Saunders for the Green Party, and David John Worden for the Liberal Democrats.

In the Chulmleigh and Landkey division, there are six candidates. They are Valerie Jean Cann for the Labour Party, independent Faye Marion Davies, Glyn Lane for the Conservatives, Casey Ryback for Reform UK, David James Smale for the Green Party, and Ed Tyldesley for the Liberal Democrats.

The Torrington Rural division includes Winkleigh and has five candidates competing. They are Liana Alexander Raye for Reform UK, Cheryl Lavinia Cottle-Hunkin for the Liberal Democrats, Deborah Charlotte Darling for the Labour and Co-operative Party, Thomas John Elliott for the Conservative Party, and Colin Jones for the Green Party.

In the Hatherleigh and Chagford division, which includes North Tawton and Sampford Courtenay, there are five candidates. They are Thomas Ben Colliety for the Labour Party, Lynn Christine Daniel for the Green Party, Sue Davies for Reform UK, Christian Adam Martin for the Liberal Democrats, and Lois Esther Samuel for the Conservative Party.

Five candidates are vying for the Chudleigh and Teign Valley division, which includes Tedburn St Mary. They are Olly Giddings for the Green Party, Richard Michael Keeling for the Liberal Democrats, Tessa Tucker for the Conservative Party, Terry Tume for Reform UK, and Rick Webb for the Labour Party.

The Exminster and Haldon division includes Whitestone. The candidates standing for election there are Liberal Democrat councillor Alan Connett, Alex Johnstone for Reform UK, Kevin Lake for the Conservative Party, Ollie Pearson for the Labour Party, and Ben Temperton for the Green Party.

Everyone voting in person must show photo ID, such as a passport, driving licence, blue badge or an older person’s bus pass. You can use an expired ID if you are still recognisable in the photo.

Polling stations are open from 7am to 10pm.

The address of the polling station you must vote at is printed on the poll card sent to you in the post. You can also find your polling station online by visiting: wheredoivote.co.uk.