Independent councillor joins Liberal Democrats

A “popular” Independent Devon County Councillor has joined the Liberal Democrats.

Frank Biederman, who represents Fremington Rural as part of a Devon County Council, has announced he will be joining the Lib Dems at Devon County Hall.

This seat, which Frank has held since 2013, will now mean that the Liberal Democrats will hold eleven seats on Devon County Council, affirming their place as the main opposition to the Conservative Party, which has led the council since 2009.

In a statement, Frank said: “This is not a decision I took lightly, but watching some terrible decisions get made by both the last government, and the ruling Conservative group at Devon County Hall in Exeter, I've been saddened by the way people in North Devon have so often been treated like an afterthought.”

“The appalling mess that's been made in Children's Services & SEND Education has meant even less funding for numerous other important priorities, like schools and road repairs. We cannot afford this kind of mismanagement. There are always new challenges coming down the line: new housing targets, and growing pressure on local services, for example. We cannot afford for local government to get these things so badly wrong.”

“Everyone knows I'm a very independent spirit at heart - but getting things done is a team game, and I intend to work with allies. It's clear to me that the administration at Devon County Council needs a major shake-up.”

A Royal Mail worker for over thirty years, Frank has been re-elected in Fremington numerous times with large majorities. 

He is known for his work on the Devon & Somerset Fire Authority and has served as Leader of the Independent Group at Devon County Hall. 

He now works on constituency casework on behalf of Ian Roome, Member of Parliament for North Devon.

Councillor Caroline Leaver, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group at County Hall, explained: “We're so pleased to welcome Frank to the team. I know that he believes very strongly in people power and the importance of Local Government - he is a true community champion. Frank brings a wealth of experience and will be an immense asset to our efforts to hold the ruling Conservative administration to account for their decisions.”

Frank will also join the Liberal Democrat Group on North Devon District Council. Leader of North Devon Council and Lib Dem Group Leader, Councillor David Clayton, added: “We've always worked in partnership with Frank, and we're delighted he will now be joining us more officially. Anybody who knows the area knows he works tirelessly on behalf of local residents, and people put their trust in him as a result.”

In recent weeks, Liberal Democrat and Independent Councillors on North Devon Council joined forces to vote through £200 of financial assistance to approximately one thousand of North Devon's pensioners, who were affected by the new government's decision to slash Winter Fuel Allowance.

New Liberal Democrat MP for North Devon, Ian Roome, added: “Frank is a close friend and an exceptional local councillor - I always value his advice. When working in the community around Fremington, Bickington and Instow he is an absolute force of nature, and I cannot imagine a better ambassador for Liberal Democrat values.”