South Somerset District Council in Somerset, England was elected every four years. Since 2019 the council is divided into 34 wards electing 60 councillors.[1] The council was abolished on 1 April 2023, when it was replaced by Somerset Council, a unitary authority.

Political control

Since the first election to the council in 1973 political control of the council has been held by the following parties:[2]

Party in control Years
No overall control 1973–1976
Conservative 1976–1979
No overall control 1979–1987
Liberal Democrats 1987–2023

Leadership

The leaders of the council since 2006 have been:[3]

Councillor Party From To
Tim Carroll[4] Liberal Democrats 2006 19 May 2011
Ric Pallister[5] Liberal Democrats 19 May 2011 31 Aug 2018
Val Keitch Liberal Democrats 1 Sep 2018 31 March 2023

Council elections

District result maps

By-election results

1995-1999

Crewkerne By-Election 27 November 1997
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative 455 38.9 +11.7
Liberal Democrats 421 36.0 -7.1
Labour 294 25.1 -4.6
Majority 34 2.9
Turnout 1,170 19.0
Conservative gain from Liberal Democrats Swing

1999-2003

Chard Avishayes By-Election 14 September 2000
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Democrats 571 70.9 +27.6
Conservative 234 29.1 -11.7
Majority 337 41.8
Turnout 805 44.6
Liberal Democrats hold Swing
Camelot By-Election 21 March 2002[12]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative 618 57.5 -14.1
Liberal Democrats 457 42.5 +14.1
Majority 161 15.0
Turnout 1,075 52.3
Conservative hold Swing

2003-2007

Crewkerne By-Election 2 June 2005
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Democrats 859 57.8 +10.7
Conservative 627 42.2 +6.6
Majority 232 15.6
Turnout 1,486 25.3
Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative Swing
Brympton By-Election 27 October 2005[13]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Democrats Peter Seib 478 58.0 +1.8
Conservative Philippa Hamilton 232 28.2 -8.4
Independent Elizabeth Glaisher 113 13.7 +13.7
Majority 246 29.8
Turnout 823 18.3
Liberal Democrats hold Swing
Chard Holyrood By-Election 14 September 2006[13]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Democrats Daniel Shortland 367 54.5 +37.0
Conservative Stephen Wright 180 26.7 +26.7
Independent Rita Wickenden 127 18.8 -63.7
Majority 187 27.8
Turnout 674 30.2
Liberal Democrats gain from Independent Swing

2007-2011

Chard Crimchard By-Election 29 May 2008[14]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Democrats Jenny Kenton 423 47.2 -5.0
Conservative David Mears 320 35.7 -0.7
BNP Robert Baehr 154 17.2 +17.2
Majority 103 11.5
Turnout 897 44.5
Liberal Democrats hold Swing
Coker By-Election 4 June 2009[15]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Democrats Cathy Bakewell 1,010 47.2 +0.1
Conservative Gina Seaton 1,002 46.9 +5.5
Independent Nick Hester 126 5.9 +5.9
Majority 8 0.3
Turnout 2,138
Liberal Democrats hold Swing
Ilminster By-Election 4 June 2009[16]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Democrats Carol Goodall 1,192 58.0 +10.1
Conservative Jane Morgan 862 42.0 +7.3
Majority 330 16.0
Turnout 2,054
Liberal Democrats hold Swing

References

  1. ^ "Elections". South Somerset District Council. Retrieved 3 June 2008.
  2. ^ "South Somerset". BBC News Online. Retrieved 2 March 2010.
  3. ^ "Council minutes". South Somerset District Council. Retrieved 16 June 2022.
  4. ^ "Tributes are paid to former South Somerset District Council leader Tim Carroll". South Somerset District Council. Retrieved 16 June 2022.
  5. ^ Hill, Phil (27 September 2021). "Ric Pallister jailed for 11 years for sex assaults". Chard and Ilminster News. Retrieved 16 June 2022.
  6. ^ The District of Yeovil (Electoral Arrangements) Order 1975
  7. ^ legislation.gov.uk - The District of South Somerset (Electoral Arrangements) Order 1988. Retrieved on 4 November 2015.
  8. ^ legislation.gov.uk - The Dorset and Somerset (County Boundaries) Order 1991. Retrieved on 5 November 2015.
  9. ^ "South Somerset". BBC Online. Retrieved 3 June 2008.
  10. ^ legislation.gov.uk - The District of South Somerset (Electoral Changes) Order 1998. Retrieved on 4 October 2015.
  11. ^ legislation.gov.uk - The South Somerset (Electoral Changes) Order 2018. Retrieved on 29 April 2020.
  12. ^ "Lib Dems drop bombshell on Blair's doorstep". guardian.co.uk. 22 March 2002. Retrieved 12 March 2010.
  13. ^ a b "Results" (PDF). South Somerset District Council. Retrieved 1 September 2013.
  14. ^ "Lib Dem Councillor voted in for South Somerset District Council Chard Crimchard Ward". South Somerset District Council. Retrieved 12 March 2010.
  15. ^ "Coker Ward - Results By-election - 4th June 2009" (PDF). South Somerset District Council. Retrieved 28 December 2013.
  16. ^ "Lib-Dem victory in Chard and Ilminster". Western Gazette. 11 June 2009. Retrieved 13 March 2010.

External links

Council elections in Somerset
Categories