Somerset County Council in England was elected every four years. Since the last boundary changes in 2001, 58 councillors were elected from 58 wards. In 2013 and 2017, 55 councillors were elected from 54 wards. In 2022, 110 councillors were elected and these transitioned over to Somerset Council, the unitary authority the replaced the county council on 1 April 2023.

Political control

Since 1974 political control of the council has been held by the following parties:[1]

Party in controlYears
Conservative1974–1985
No overall control1985–1989
Conservative1989–1993
Liberal Democrats1993–2001
No overall control2001–2005
Liberal Democrats2005–2009
Conservative2009–2022
Liberal Democrats2022–2023


Leadership

The leaders of the council since 2001 have been:[2]

CouncillorPartyFromTo
Cathy Bakewell Liberal Democrats200116 May 2007
Jill Shortland Liberal Democrats16 May 200724 Jun 2009
Ken Maddock Conservative24 Jun 200916 May 2012
John Osman Conservative16 May 20127 May 2017
David Fothergill Conservative24 May 201725 May 2022
Bill Revans Liberal Democrats25 May 202231 March 2023

Council elections

County result maps

By-election results

1997–2001

Minehead By-Election 30 July 1998
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative 1,428 42.6 +7.2
Liberal Democrats 1,125 33.6 -1.4
Labour 798 23.8 -5.8
Majority 303 9.0
Turnout 3,351 37.0
Conservative hold Swing
Lydeard By-Election 28 October 1999
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative 948 68.2 +28.7
Liberal Democrats 442 31.8 -14.0
Majority 506 36.4
Turnout 1,390 28.0
Conservative gain from Liberal Democrats Swing

2005–2009

Mendip North East By-Election 1 May 2008
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Matthew Ellis 1,568 51.2 +6.9
Liberal Democrats Ian Hasell 1,497 48.8 +9.7
Majority 71 2.4
Turnout 3,065 43.8
Conservative hold Swing
Shepton Mallett By-Election 29 May 2008[5]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Margaret Robinson 950 47.4 +10.0
Liberal Democrats Rachel Witcombe 783 39.1 +5.5
Labour Christopher Inchley 271 13.5 -15.5
Majority 167 8.3
Turnout 2,004 29.0
Conservative hold Swing

2009–2013

Shepton Mallett By-Election 5 May 2011
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative John Parham 1,307 41.3
Liberal Democrats Garfield Kennedy 892 28.2
Labour Chris Inchley 711 22.5
Green Ian Forster 256 8.1
Majority 415 13.1
Turnout
Conservative hold Swing
South Petherton By-Election 5 May 2011
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Democrats Paul Maxwell 1,333 53.6
Conservative Paul Thompson 943 37.9
Green Ian Greenfield 108 4.3
UKIP Godfrey Davey 104 4.2
Majority 390 15.7
Turnout 42.8
Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative Swing
Brent By-Election 1 December 2011
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative John Denbee 1,285 58.0
Liberal Democrats Helen Groves 932 42.0
Majority 353 15.9
Turnout
Conservative hold Swing

2013–2017

Frome North By-Election 25 September 2014
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Linda Oliver 1,163 47.7
Liberal Democrats Damon Hooton 836 34.3
Labour Catherine Richardson 163 6.7
Independent Adrian Dobinson 139 5.7
Green Les Spalding 139 5.7
Majority 327 13.4
Turnout
Conservative gain from Liberal Democrats Swing
Taunton North By-Election 7 May 2015
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Michael Adkins 1,298 29.9
Liberal Democrats Barrie Hall 976 22.5
Labour Libby Lisgo 927 21.4
UKIP Robert Bainbridge 814 18.8
Green Alan Debenham 326 7.5
Majority 322 7.4
Turnout
Conservative gain from Liberal Democrats Swing

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Somerset". BBC News Online. 19 April 2009. Retrieved 18 March 2010.
  2. ↑ "Council minutes". Somerset County Council. Retrieved 16 June 2022.
  3. ↑ The County of Somerset (Electoral Arrangements) Order 1980
  4. ↑ "Somerset". BBC Online. Retrieved 3 June 2008.
  5. ↑ "New Faces Join Mendip District Council". Mendip District Council. 30 May 2008. Retrieved 18 March 2010.
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