Who is standing in North Devon and Torridge for the Devon County Council elections?

North Devon and Torridge voters have been urged to make their votes count at the Devon County Council elections on Thursday, May 1.

A total of 17 seats will be up for grabs across North Devon, Torridge and West Devon, with polling stations open from 7am until 10pm, typically in each village, parish or town hall, but details of your nearest one will be available on the district council elections pages – see the links below.

The returning officers of both North Devon Council (NDC) and Torridge District Council (TDC) have spoken out to highlight the importance of these local elections, though Devon is the only complete authority holding elections as the Government looks to streamline and merge local authorities.

NDC deputy returning officer Ken Miles said the impending changes meant the votes of local people were more important than ever.

He said: “Local elections are an important opportunity for you to have your say on who represents you and makes decisions about the issues that affect you at Devon County Council - that might be decisions about county council matters such as education, social services or even the dreaded potholes. 

“As the majority of the council tax collected in the area is put to running county council services, it is important you have your say on who runs those services.

“With local government reorganisation around the corner, and with decisions likely to be made on what the county council wants local government to look like for the next 50 years, your vote is even more important this time.

“If you’re voting at a polling station, please remember to bring a valid form of photo ID such as a driving licence, passport, or older person’s buss pass. Those registered to vote should have received their poll cards, which include all the valid forms of photo ID that can be used.

“Postal voters should now be receiving their voting packs. Please do send completed ballots back promptly to ensure they reach us before polling day.”

At Torridge, chief executive Steve Hearse added: “I would strongly urge anyone who has the opportunity to vote to make sure that they use it. 

“Voting allows you to have say on important issues that affect you – from roads and recycling to education and climate change, to housing and employment.

“Whatever your views, it is important to feel represented. People might not feel that one vote matters, but the more people who vote the truer our democracy. You can find out about all the candidates standing and how and where to vote on our website.”

See below for the full list of county council candidates standing in the North Devon, Torridge and West Devon areas.

Torridge residents can view more election information at https://www.torridge.gov.uk/elections

North Devon residents can go to https://www.northdevon.gov.uk/council/voting-and-elections

Full list of North Devon, Torridge and West Devon election candidates

North Devon

Barnstaple North: David Ian Jarvis, Reform UK; Syed Jusef, Liberal Democrats; Lisa Mackenzie, The Conservative Party; Helen Marini, Labour Party; Howard Porter, Green Party.

Barnstaple South: Rosie Haworth-Booth, Green Party; David Hoare, The Conservative Party; Nigel Johnson, Independent; Rhys Jones, Labour Party; Caroline Leaver, Liberal Democrats; Anthony Payne, Reform UK.

Braunton Rural: Graham Bell, Liberal Democrats; Richard Booth, Reform UK; Tamsin Higgs, Labour Party; Pru Maskell, Conservative Party; David Relph, Green Party.

Chulmleigh and Landkey: Valerie Cann, Labour Party; Faye Davies, Independent; Glyn Lane, Conservatives; Casey Ryback, Reform UK; David Smale, Green Party; Ed Tyldesley, Liberal Democrats.

Combe Martin Rural: Oliver Bell, Labour Party; Kyle Chivers Green Party; Andrea Davis, Conservative Party; Kelvin Mckechnie, Reform UK; Josh Rutty, Liberal Democrats.

Fremington Rural: Gary Beglin, Conservative Party; Frank Biederman, Liberal Democrats; Lawrie Jenner, Reform UK; Ricky Knight, Green Party; Gemma Rolstone, Labour Party.

Ilfracombe: Paul Crabb, Conservative Party; Toby Ebert, Labour Party; Adrian Emery, Reform UK; June Williams, Liberal Democrats; Sara Wilson, Green Party.

South Molton: Paul Henderson, Conservative Party; Steven Hinchliffe, Labour Party; Richard Hopley, Reform UK; Gill Saunders, Green Party; David Worden, Liberal Democrats.

Torridge 

Bideford East: Mark Barry, Reform UK; Rachel Clarke, Liberal Democrats; Linda Hellyer, Conservative Party; Zoe Moore, Labour Party; Huw Thomas, Green Party. 

Bideford West and Hartland: Claire Davey-Potts, Liberal Democrats; Robin Julian, Reform UK; Simon Mathers, Green Party; Sebastian Racisz, Labour Party; Jeff Wilton-Love, Conservative Party. 

Holsworthy Rural: Tracey Beresford, Green Party; Stephen Gibson, Conservative Party; Catriona Kennard, Labour Party; Nigel Kenneally, Liberal Democrats; Lynne Rowsell, Reform UK. 

Northam: Keith Funnell, Green Party; Dermot McGeough, Conservative Party; Kerry O’Rourke, Liberal Democrats; Emma Robbins, Labour Party; Derek Sargent, Reform UK. 

Torrington Rural: Raye Alexander, Reform UK; Cheryl Cottle-Hunkin, Liberal Democrats; Deborah Darling, Labour and Co-Operative Party; Thomas Elliott, Conservative Party; Colin Jones, Green Party. 

West Devon 

Hatherleigh and Chagford: Thomas Colliety, Labour Party; Lynn Daniel, Green Party; Sue Davies, Reform UK; Christian Martin, Liberal Democrats; Lois Samuel, Conservative Party. 

Okehampton Rural: George Dexter, Liberal Democrats; Niall Duffy, Labour Party; James Grainger, Reform UK; Nicholas John  (No Party Listed); Neil Jory, Conservative and Unionist Party; Tracy Kirnig, Green Party. 

Tavistock: Gary Clifford, Reform UK; Holly Greenberry-Pullen, Liberal Democrats; Gemma Loving, Labour Party; Debo Sellis, Local Conservatives; Sara Wood, Green Party. 

Yelverton Rural: Cook Fife, Reform UK; Judy Maciejowska, Green Party; Mark Renders, Independent; Philip Sanders, Local Conservatives; Uwem Udo, Labour Party; Chris West, Liberal Democrats.