With most results for the 110 contested seats now in, the Liberal Democrats have gained control of the County Council, having reached the target of 56 for an overall majority.

Three of West Somerset’s four divisions have bucked the trend with Dulverton & Exmoor and Minehead electing two Conservatives in both divisions.

In the Dunster ward the spoils are shared between one Conservative and one Liberal Democrat. The result of the Watchet & Stogursey division is expected soon.

MINEHEAD

Mandy Chilcott (Con) Elected
Andy Hadley (Con) Elected

DULVERTON AND EXMOOR

Steven Pugsley (Con) Elected

Frances Nicholson (Con) Elected

DUNSTER

Elected

Christine Lawrence (Cons) Elected

Marcus Kravis (LD) Elected

The first results are in as counting of the votes in Somerset continues for the local council elections.

Conservative councillors John Thorne and Mike Dennis have lost their seats to the Lib Dems Ross Henley and Sarah Wakefield.

The results will be declared in batches by the returning officer as the day goes on. Given that verification will have already been completed, and barring any recounts or other challenges, the full results will probably be declared by 4pm .

Some 434,000-plus residents are eligible to vote for two of the 337 prospective councillors vying for their support today with 110 seats available across the county as Somerset prepares for the biggest change in local government in decades.

For their first year, the councillors will take responsibility for all current county council services and oversee the local government reorganisation to establish a single unitary council on April 1 2023. District councils will remain until March 1 2023 and the councillors serving on them will continue in their roles until that date.

From April 1 2023, the 110 councillors of the unitary council will be responsible for services that are currently delivered by the county and four district councils, ranging from adults and children’s social care to highways and housing, and from libraries to planning and licensing. So, it is crucial that people in Somerset use their two votes to elect those who will represent them for the next five years. City, town, and parish council elections are taking place on the same day.

Counting started at 10am this morning and the election results will be announced throughout the day – keep up to date by following Somerset County Council’s Twitter account @SomersetCouncil and #SomersetVotes. Results will be updated throughout the day on the County Council’s website: https://www.somerset.gov.uk/