West Devon Council - Wards and Councillors

District council · South West · 31 seats in 18 wards · All seats elected every four years · Next election 6 May 2027

West Devon Council is run by an Independent / Green / Liberal Democrats / Labour coalition. The council has 31 councillors in 18 wards. Seats by party: Other 11, Conservative 10, Lib Dem 6, Green 3, Labour 1. The next election is on 6 May 2027.

A government plan to replace the councils in this area with four unitary councils was paused for review on 7 September 2026. Elections due in May 2027 will go ahead on existing council boundaries. Source

Control

Seats by party

Independent / Green / Liberal Democrats / Labour Coalition

31 seats - 16 for a majority

Labour 1Conservative 10Lib Dem 6Green 3Other 11

Vote share at the 4 May 2023 election (29 seats in 17 wards)

ShareSeats won

Other33.0%10

Conservative28.2%11

Green20.7%5

Lib Dem12.6%2

Labour4.9%1

Reform0.6%0

Next election

6 May 2027

all 31 seats up, then every four years

Largest group

Independents and others 11

5 short of the 16 needed for a majority

Closest result

Okehampton North

Lib Dem won the last seat by 3 votes over Conservative, 4 May 2023

Latest by-election

Okehampton South

Lib Dem gain from Green, 6 November 2025 (4 since 2021)

Constituencies

3 overlap

2024Now

Voted Leave in 2016

53%

GB 52%

Wards

Who holds each ward

LabourConservativeLib DemGreenIndependent

Coloured by the party holding most of the ward's seats today; where seats are split evenly, by the party with the higher share at the last election.

All 18 wards

Councillors and last results

Select a ward for its full results, candidates and last by-election.

Ward and councillors	Last election
Bere Ferrers Isabel Saxby, Angela Blackman	4 May 2023 Labour 46.3% lead 17.0 pts
Bridestowe Caroline Mott, Terry Southcott	4 May 2023 Conservative 55.8% lead 11.6 pts
Buckland Monachorum Ric Cheadle, Alastair Cunningham	4 May 2023 Independent 41.3% lead 17.7 pts
Burrator Christopher West, Nick Viney	15 June 2023 Lib Dem 48.5% lead 22.4 pts
Chagford Jane Elliott	4 May 2023 Green 65.3% lead 30.6 pts
Dartmoor Mark Renders	4 May 2023 Independent 74.3% lead 48.6 pts
Drewsteignton Steve Guthrie	4 May 2023 Green 51.1% lead 2.2 pts
Exbourne Louise Watts, Mike Casbolt	4 May 2023 Conservative 38.6% lead 4.6 pts
Hatherleigh Patrick Kimber, Sam Wakeham	4 May 2023 Conservative 66.7% lead 33.4 pts
Mary Tavy Robert Oxborough	4 May 2023 Independent 41.5% lead 19.6 pts
Milton Ford Neil Jory	4 May 2023 Uncontested
Okehampton North George Dexter, Kevin Ball, Tony Leech	4 May 2023 Independent 26.5% lead 5.6 pts
Okehampton South Paul Vachon, Jan Goffey	4 May 2023 Independent 35.6% lead 1.4 pts
South Tawton Lynn Daniel	4 May 2023 Green 68.2% lead 36.4 pts
Tamarside Chris Edmonds	4 May 2023 Conservative 64.0% lead 35.2 pts
Tavistock North Holly Greenberry-Pullen, Graham Reed, Jeffrey Moody	4 May 2023 Independent 26.9% lead 4.5 pts
Tavistock South East Debo Sellis, Adam Bridgewater	4 May 2023 Independent 40.6% lead 7.2 pts
Tavistock South West Anne Johnson, Mandy Ewings	4 May 2023 Independent 46.4% lead 3.8 pts

Bere Ferrers

Angela Blackman ConservativeIsabel Saxby Labour

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023 (2 seats)

Labour46.3%

Conservative29.3%

Lib Dem24.4%

Candidate	Party	Votes
Isabel Angela Saxby Elected	Labour	757
Angela Blackman Elected	Conservative	478
Peter Crozier	Conservative	453
Graham Reed	Lib Dem	399

Party shares count each party's leading candidate.

Bridestowe

Caroline Mott ConservativeTerry Southcott Conservative

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023 (2 seats)

Conservative55.8%

Green44.2%

Candidate	Party	Votes
Caroline Mott Elected	Conservative	507
Terry Southcott Elected	Conservative	463
Patrick John Jeffery	Green	401

Party shares count each party's leading candidate.

Buckland Monachorum

Alastair Cunningham IndependentRic Cheadle Independent

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023 (2 seats)

Independent41.3%

Independent23.6%

Conservative19.3%

Lib Dem15.8%

Candidate	Party	Votes
Ric Cheadle Elected	Independent	873
Alastair Clark Cunningham Elected	Independent	498
Philip Richard Sanders	Conservative	409
Ashley-Ross Christopher West	Lib Dem	334

Party shares count each party's leading candidate.

Burrator

Christopher West Lib DemNick Viney Lib Dem

Last scheduled election, 15 June 2023 (2 seats)

Lib Dem48.5%

Conservative26.1%

Green15.8%

Labour9.6%

Candidate	Party	Votes
Nick Viney Elected	Lib Dem	510
Christopher Paul West Elected	Lib Dem	401
Diana Moyse	Conservative	275
Felix Davies	Conservative	221
Dave Miller	Green	166
John Edward Churchley	Labour	101
Sam North	Green	76

Party shares count each party's leading candidate.

Chagford

Jane Elliott Green

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023

Green65.3%

Conservative34.7%

Candidate	Party	Votes	Share
Jane Elliott Elected	Green	485	65.3%
Nicky Heyworth	Conservative	258	34.7%

Dartmoor

Mark Renders Independent

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023

Independent74.3%

Lib Dem25.7%

Candidate	Party	Votes	Share
Mark Christian Renders Elected	Independent	404	74.3%
Holly Greenberry-Pullen	Lib Dem	140	25.7%

Drewsteignton

Steve Guthrie Green

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023

Green51.1%

Conservative48.9%

Candidate	Party	Votes	Share
Steven William Guthrie Elected	Green	292	51.1%
Paul James Ridgers	Conservative	279	48.9%

Exbourne

Louise Watts ConservativeMike Casbolt Conservative

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023 (2 seats)

Conservative38.6%

Lib Dem34.0%

Green27.4%

Candidate	Party	Votes
Louise Sacha Watts Elected	Conservative	613
Mike Casbolt Elected	Conservative	575
Christian Martin	Lib Dem	541
Judy Sara MacIejowska	Green	435

Party shares count each party's leading candidate.

Hatherleigh

Patrick Kimber ConservativeSam Wakeham Conservative

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023 (2 seats)

Conservative66.7%

Green33.3%

Candidate	Party	Votes
Patrick John Derek Kimber Elected	Conservative	579
Samantha Jane Wakeham Elected	Conservative	430
Andrew Robert Pratt	Green	289

Party shares count each party's leading candidate.

Mary Tavy

Robert Oxborough Independent

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023

Independent41.5%

Conservative21.9%

Independent19.5%

Lib Dem17.1%

Candidate	Party	Votes	Share
Robert John Oxborough Elected	Independent	240	41.5%
Jonathan Gilpin	Conservative	127	21.9%
Dave Herbert	Independent	113	19.5%
Andrew Gordon Lynn Brown	Lib Dem	99	17.1%

Milton Ford

Neil Jory Conservative

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023

Uncontested. Elected: Neil Jory (Conservative).

Okehampton North

George Dexter Lib DemKevin Ball IndependentTony Leech Independent

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023 (3 seats)

Independent26.5%

Conservative20.9%

Lib Dem16.3%

Green14.1%

Independent11.8%

Labour10.2%

Candidate	Party	Votes
Tony Leech Elected	Independent	695
Kevin Ball Elected	Conservative	548
George Herbert Dexter Elected	Lib Dem	428
Lois Esther Samuel	Conservative	425
Colin Trier	Green	370
Peter Cecil Eastment	Conservative	312
Deborah Judith Sanger	Independent	310
Finley Lewis Reece Morris	Labour	267

Party shares count each party's leading candidate.

Okehampton South

Jan Goffey Lib DemPaul Vachon Independent

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023 (2 seats)

Independent35.6%

Green34.2%

Conservative30.2%

Candidate	Party	Votes
Paul Richard Vachon Elected	Independent	433
Malcolm William Calder Elected	Green	417
Julie Yelland	Conservative	368
Clare Mary Gerardine Kemp	Conservative	194

Party shares count each party's leading candidate.

Last by-election, 6 November 2025

Lib Dem57.1%

Conservative24.4%

Independent18.6%

Candidate	Party	Votes	Share
Jan Goffey Elected	Lib Dem	356	57.1%
Lois Esther Samuel	Conservative	152	24.4%
Julie Yelland	Independent	116	18.6%

South Tawton

Lynn Daniel Green

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023

Green68.2%

Conservative31.8%

Candidate	Party	Votes	Share
Lynn Christine Daniel Elected	Green	476	68.2%
Simon John Powell	Conservative	222	31.8%

Tamarside

Chris Edmonds Conservative

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023

Conservative64.0%

Green28.8%

Reform7.2%

Candidate	Party	Votes	Share
Chris Edmonds Elected	Conservative	313	64.0%
Matt Faith	Green	141	28.8%
Lawrence Grose	Reform	35	7.2%

Tavistock North

Graham Reed Lib DemHolly Greenberry-Pullen Lib DemJeffrey Moody Independent

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023 (3 seats)

Independent26.9%

Lib Dem22.4%

Green17.6%

Independent16.5%

Conservative13.5%

Reform3.1%

Candidate	Party	Votes
Jeff Moody Elected	Independent	822
Pete Squire Elected	Lib Dem	685
Terry Vincent Wheeler Elected	Green	540
Michael Fife Cook	Independent	505
David Turnbull	Conservative	414
Judy Hughes	Conservative	333
John Gray	Conservative	268
Brian Trew	Reform	95

Party shares count each party's leading candidate.

Last by-election, 1 May 2025

Lib Dem31.0%

Conservative25.7%

Reform22.7%

Green10.6%

Labour9.9%

Candidate	Party	Votes	Share
Graham Reed Elected	Lib Dem	485	31.0%
Judy Hughes	Conservative	402	25.7%
Brian Trew	Reform	355	22.7%
Sara Louise Wood	Green	165	10.6%
Uwem Udo	Labour	155	9.9%

Tavistock South East

Adam Bridgewater IndependentDebo Sellis Conservative

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023 (2 seats)

Independent40.6%

Conservative33.4%

Green26.1%

Candidate	Party	Votes
Adam Duncan Bridgewater Elected	Independent	734
Debo Sellis Elected	Conservative	604
Amy St. Clair Hookway	Green	472
Richard Ivor John Phillips	Conservative	378

Party shares count each party's leading candidate.

Tavistock South West

Anne Johnson IndependentMandy Ewings Independent

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023 (2 seats)

Independent46.4%

Independent42.6%

Conservative11.0%

Candidate	Party	Votes
Anne Johnson Elected	Independent	662
Mandy Victoria Louise Ewings Elected	Independent	608
Andy Nelson	Conservative	157
Candy Gynn-Martin	Conservative	122

Party shares count each party's leading candidate.

Councillors

Changed party since the election

1 councillor now sit for a different party from the one they were elected for.

Ward	Councillor	Elected as	Now
Okehampton North	Kevin Ball	Conservative 2023	Independent

By-elections

Every council by-election since 2021

4 by-elections since July 2021, 3 of them gains.

Date	Ward	Result	Winner's share
6 November 2025	Okehampton South	Lib Dem gain from Green	57.0%
1 May 2025	Tavistock North	Lib Dem gain from Independent	31.0%
9 May 2024	Tavistock North	Lib Dem hold
26 June 2023	Tavistock North	Independent gain from Green

Parliament

Parliamentary constituencies

Constituency	Share of council	2024 winner	Projected now
Torridge and Tavistock	47%	Conservative	Conservative 32%
Central Devon	38%	Conservative	Conservative 28%
South West Devon	16%	Conservative	Conservative 30%

Share of the council: the proportion of its census neighbourhoods (2021 LSOAs) in each seat. The projection is PollCheck's demographic model at current polling, not a forecast.

People

Who lives in West Devon

57,092 residents in 24,833 households

Voted Leave in 2016

53% 1 above GB

Degree or higher

34% same as GB

No qualifications

16% 2 below GB

Own their home

71% 10 above GB

Rent from a council or housing association

10% 7 below GB

Rent privately

18% 2 below GB

Aged 15 to 34

21% 10 below GB

Aged 65 and over

33% 11 above GB

GB figure. 2021 Census (Scotland: 2022): age as a share of residents aged 15 and over, qualifications of residents aged 16 and over, housing as a share of households. Leave: 2016 EU referendum, Electoral Commission results by counting area.

Similar

Councils most like this one

TeignbridgeLiberal Democrats (Majority)East DevonLiberal Democrats / Green / Independent Coalition FyldeConservative (Majority)DorsetLiberal Democrats (Majority)LewesGreen / Labour Coalition

Closest on the measures above: the 2016 Leave vote, age, qualifications and housing. Maps show which party holds each ward.

Sources

Sources and method

Seat totals and control: PollCheck council control tracker. Councillors: Open Council Data (CC BY-SA 4.0). Election results: Democracy Club (CC BY 4.0), with some vote counts from DCLEAPIL, Leman (2025) (CC BY-SA 4.0), and corrections checked against councils' official declarations. Ward boundaries: Source: Office for National Statistics licensed under the Open Government Licence v.3.0. Contains OS data © Crown copyright and database right 2026. Census: Office for National Statistics and National Records of Scotland.

Councillor lists and DCLEAPIL-derived vote counts on this page are available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

In wards electing more than one councillor, a party's share counts only its leading candidate (the Rallings and Thrasher method). Independents count individually. The lead is the gap between the top two parties' shares.