2011 North Devon District Council election

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Map of the results of the 2011 North Devon council election. Conservatives in blue, Liberal Democrats in yellow and independents in grey. North Devon UK local election 2011 map.svg
Map of the results of the 2011 North Devon council election. Conservatives in blue, Liberal Democrats in yellow and independents in grey.

The 2011 North Devon District Council election took place on 5 May 2011 to elect members of North Devon District Council in Devon, England. The whole council was up for election and the Conservative Party lost overall control of the council to no overall control. [1]

Contents

Background

Before the election the council was controlled by the Conservatives with 22 councillors, compared to 17 Liberal Democrats and 4 independents. [2] However North Devon was reported as one of the councils that the Conservatives were most likely to lose control of in 2011. [3] [4]

There were 120 candidates standing in the election for the 43 seats on the council. [5] These were made up of 36 Conservatives, 33 Liberal Democrats, 20 independents, 17 Green Party, 10 Labour, 2 Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition, 1 United Kingdom Independence Party and 1 Communist Party of Britain. [5] The candidates included the former Liberal Democrat leader of the council, Malcolm Prowse, and Yvette Gubb, who both quit the Liberal Democrats to stand as independents in the election. [6]

Election result

The results saw the Conservative lose their majority on the council, dropping to 18 seats after suffering a net loss of four councillors. [7] The Liberal Democrats stayed as the main opposition with 14 seats, but also dropped 3 seats. [7] It was independents who made progress in the election, with the number of independent councillors going up to 11. [8] Overall turnout in the election was 45.33%, [9] ranging from a high of 63% in Bratton Fleming to a low of 30% in Forches and Whiddon Valley. [5]

Among the councillors to lose their seats to independents were Conservatives Dick Jones and John Gill in Fremington and Liberal Democrats Carol Mccormack-Hole and Sue Sewell in Bickington and Roundswell, and South Molton respectively. [10] Successful independent candidates included the former Conservative Rodney Cann and the former Liberal Democrat Malcolm Prowse. [5]

10 of the 11 elected independent councillors divided up into 3 groups, New Wave, containing Rodney Cann, Joanne Bell, Frank Biederman and Brian Hockin, North Devon First, containing Malcolm Prowse, Julia Clark and Yvette Gubb, and Independent Group, containing Mike Edmunds, Eric Ley and Walter White. [11] The final independent, John Moore, was not part of any group. [11]

Following the election a coalition between the Liberal Democrat and independent councillors took control of the council from the former Conservative administration. [12] Liberal Democrat Brian Greenslade became the new council leader, [13] taking over from Conservative Des Brailey, while independent Rodney Cann became deputy leader. [12] The new cabinet was made up of 5 Liberal Democrats and 4 independents. [12]

North Devon Local Election Result 2011 [9] [14]
PartySeatsGainsLossesNet gain/lossSeats %Votes %Votes+/−
  Conservative 1815-441.936.118,269-3.7
  Liberal Democrats 1425-332.631.616,004-11.2
  Independent 1170+725.620.410,317+12.9
  Green 00000.06.93,474-2.4
  Labour 00000.03.91,985+3.7
  TUSC 00000.00.7340+0.7
  UKIP 00000.00.3131+0.3
  Communist 00000.00.290+0.0

2 independent candidates were unopposed. [9] [14]

Ward results

Bickington & Roundswell (2) [9]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Independent Rodney Cann* 850 55.6 −9.7
Independent Brian Hockin 570 37.3 N/A
Liberal Democrats Carol McCormack-Hole*41126.9−17.6
Liberal Democrats Jerry Hole28118.4N/A
Conservative Serena Thomas27818.2−47.1
Conservative Jason Ritterband-Fulcher27217.8N/A
Labour Jean Smalley16310.7N/A
Turnout 1,55043.39+8.5
Independent hold Swing
Independent gain from Liberal Democrats Swing
Bishops Nympton [9]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Independent Eric Ley* unopposed 0.0 −84.2
Turnout 0N/A
Independent hold Swing
Bratton Fleming [9]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Independent Malcolm Prowse* 544 54.1 −24.8
Conservative Gordon Cumming31531.3+10.2
Green Ian Godfrey14714.6N/A
Majority 22922.8
Turnout 1,01862.78+6.2
Independent gain from Liberal Democrats Swing
Braunton East (2) [9]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Roy Lucas* 621 41.4 −8.6
Liberal Democrats Derrick Spear 517 34.5 −4.8
Liberal Democrats Elizabeth Spear49533.0−2.9
Conservative Sally Smith48932.6−8.2
Green Mary Breeds27618.4+1.6
Green Andy Leat19112.7N/A
Labour Valerie Cann17311.5N/A
Turnout 1,52847.03+6.4
Conservative hold Swing
Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative Swing
Braunton West (2) [9]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Caroline Chugg* 753 47.6 −9.5
Conservative Jasmine Chesters* 677 42.8 −8.9
Liberal Democrats Marguerite Shapland47830.2−4.6
Liberal Democrats Carol Woodford34221.6−11.1
Green Liz Wood21813.8N/A
Labour Steven Holden20613.0+5.3
Green Mary Clay17411.0N/A
Turnout 1,61847.60+4.2
Conservative hold Swing
Conservative hold Swing
Central Town (Barnstaple) (2) [9]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Liberal Democrats Faye Webber* 593 48.4 −4.9
Liberal Democrats Adam Bradford 550 44.9 −2.4
Conservative Simon Harvey45937.4+1.3
Labour Danny Neary23519.2N/A
Conservative Deborah Lewis20116.4−5.2
Communist Gerrard Sables907.3N/A
Turnout 1,25633.86+0.4
Liberal Democrats hold Swing
Liberal Democrats hold Swing
Chittlehampton [9]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Independent Walter White unopposed 0.0 N/A
Turnout 0N/A
Independent hold Swing
Chulmleigh [9]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Sue Croft* 615 63.4 +14.9
Liberal Democrats Trudy Weston35536.6+1.3
Majority 26026.8
Turnout 99154.55
Conservative hold Swing
Combe Martin (2) [9]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Independent Yvette Gubb 1,168 65.5 +9.8
Independent Julia Clark 821 46.1 +0.6
Conservative Sue Sussex*76442.9−12.1
Conservative Paul Crockett54130.4−1.9
Turnout 1,82154.18+3.3
Independent gain from Liberal Democrats Swing
Independent gain from Conservative Swing
Forches & Whiddon Valley (Barnstaple) (2) [9]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Liberal Democrats Sue Haywood* 534 58.6 −2.0
Liberal Democrats Julie Hunt* 433 47.5 −3.8
Labour Geoff Moody20822.8N/A
Green Neil Basil20022.0±0.0
TUSC Douglas Lowe15416.9N/A
Turnout 96629.50+3.4
Liberal Democrats hold Swing
Liberal Democrats hold Swing
Fremington (2) [9]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Independent Frank Biederman 1,266 66.8 N/A
Independent Joanne Bell 969 51.1 N/A
Conservative Dick Jones*38220.2−19.0
Conservative John Gill*32317.0−20.4
Independent Tony Wood23512.4N/A
Liberal Democrats Andrew Cann1849.7−17.0
Liberal Democrats Joy Cann955.0−21.4
Turnout 1,93453.95+11.1
Independent gain from Conservative Swing
Independent gain from Conservative Swing
Georgeham & Mortehoe (2) [9]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Liberal Democrats Malcolm Wilkinson* 678 45.2 −2.9
Conservative Pat Barker* 597 39.8 +2.7
Liberal Democrats Lesley Slade55737.1+0.3
Conservative Edward Short41627.7−5.6
Green Mike Harrison27418.3+2.1
Green Rosemary Brian20513.7+0.5
Turnout 1,52650.00+8.9
Liberal Democrats hold Swing
Conservative hold Swing
Heanton Punchardon [9]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Andrea Davis* 301 52.7 −18.3
Liberal Democrats Ray Shapland13924.3−4.7
UKIP Steve Crowther13122.9N/A
Majority 16228.4−13.6
Turnout 57735.19+3.2
Conservative hold Swing
Ilfracombe Central (2) [14]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Paul Crabb* 496 48.3 −10.4
Conservative Paul Yabsley* 436 42.5 −6.2
Independent Frank Pearson38137.1+6.2
Independent Netti Pearson28427.7N/A
Green Tim Cox22321.7N/A
Turnout 1,05229.64−0.7
Conservative gain from Independent Swing
Conservative hold Swing
Ilfracombe East [14]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Independent Mike Edmunds* 482 55.1 +6.8
Conservative Robin Horne31235.7−8.2
Labour Tony Ebert809.2N/A
Majority 17019.5+15.1
Turnout 89145.01+2.6
Independent hold Swing
Ilfracombe West (2) [14]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Liberal Democrats Geoff Fowler 678 50.0 +7.1
Conservative Philip Webb 594 43.8 −4.2
Conservative Colin Wright*56041.3−19.2
Labour Marianna Holdsworth33324.5N/A
Turnout 1,37837.93+3.8
Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative Swing
Conservative hold Swing
Instow [14]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Brian Moores* 423 59.9 +6.7
Independent Stewart White15922.5N/A
Independent Michaela Willis12417.6N/A
Majority 26437.4+31.0
Turnout 72155.75+11.5
Conservative hold Swing
Landkey, Swimbridge & Taw (2) [14]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Glyn Lane 1,054 48.3 +23.9
Conservative David Luggar* 973 44.6 +8.9
Liberal Democrats Richard Medland63929.3−6.9
Liberal Democrats Mark Pegden44920.6−14.1
Green Mark Haworth-Booth39017.9+5.1
Independent Cliff Bell34115.6−12.2
Turnout 2,20954.13+10.2
Conservative gain from Liberal Democrats Swing
Conservative hold Swing
Longbridge (Barnstaple) (2) [14]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Des Brailey* 852 56.7 −3.2
Conservative Jackie Flynn 601 40.0 −4.6
Liberal Democrats Charlie Piper52935.2+7.2
Liberal Democrats Malcolm Rundle50433.5+12.8
Labour Mark Cann22515.0N/A
Turnout 1,52544.75
Conservative hold Swing
Conservative hold Swing
Lynton & Lynmouth [14]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Liberal Democrats Julian Gurney 401 47.7 +47.7
Independent Tim Parker22026.2N/A
Conservative Ian Rigby22026.2N/A
Majority 18121.5
Turnout 85257.43
Liberal Democrats hold Swing
Marwood [14]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Liberal Democrats Joe Tucker* 447 48.2 +0.7
Conservative Jim Pile36639.4−3.2
Green Micky Darling11512.4+2.5
Majority 818.7+3.8
Turnout 92959.45+1.5
Liberal Democrats hold Swing
Newport (Barnstaple) (2) [14]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative John Mathews* 624 41.9 +2.5
Conservative Michael Harrison* 557 37.4 −2.8
Liberal Democrats Chris Haywood**49833.5+1.6
Liberal Democrats Ian Roome 39426.5−3.8
Green Ricky Knight35323.7−5.3
Green Rosie Haworth-Booth20013.4−4.7
Labour Marion Mason1439.6N/A
Turnout 1,52542.24−1.4
Conservative hold Swing
Conservative hold Swing

Chris Haywood was a sitting councillor for Yeo Valley ward.

North Molton [14]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Richard Edgell* 613 68.0 +68.0
Liberal Democrats Michael Nelson28832.0N/A
Majority 32536.1
Turnout 91353.10
Conservative hold Swing
Pilton (Barnstaple) (2) [14]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Liberal Democrats Brian Greenslade* 872 56.9 −2.4
Liberal Democrats Mair Manuel* 765 49.9 −6.2
Conservative David Barker34922.8+1.2
Conservative Linda Wellstead29319.1−0.5
Green L'Anne Knight28418.5−5.4
Labour Hilary Greenfield21914.3N/A
Turnout 1,55343.72+4.0
Liberal Democrats hold Swing
Liberal Democrats hold Swing
South Molton (2) [14]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Independent John Moore 1,221 65.7 N/A
Liberal Democrats David Worden* 733 39.4 −10.9
Independent Tracey Lewis68236.7N/A
Liberal Democrats Sue Sewell*61833.2−13.1
Turnout 1,87947.69+10.3
Independent gain from Liberal Democrats Swing
Liberal Democrats hold Swing
Witheridge [14]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Jeremy Yabsley* 689 71.8 +13.1
Liberal Democrats Kate Palmer27028.2−13.1
Majority 41943.7+26.4
Turnout 98351.57+3.0
Conservative hold Swing
Yeo Valley (Barnstaple) (2) [14]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Liberal Democrats Lesley Brown 677 59.6 −4.9
Liberal Democrats Colin Payne* 600 52.9 +8.8
Conservative Silvia Harrison25322.3+2.2
Green Sarah Willoughby22419.7+0.5
TUSC Paul Dyer18616.4+6.7
Turnout 1,17134.24+5.3
Liberal Democrats hold Swing
Liberal Democrats hold Swing

By-elections

Fremington (11 August 2011)
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Independent Chris Turner 501 46.9 −4.2
Conservative John Gill30828.8+11.8
Independent Tony Wood19618.3−5.9
Green Neil Basil646.0N/A
Turnout 1,07329.99−23.96
Independent hold Swing

References

  1. "England council elections". BBC News. Retrieved 2 August 2011.
  2. Wilshaw, Adam (21 April 2011). "Will it be independents' day?". This is Devon. Archived from the original on 5 April 2012. Retrieved 3 August 2011.
  3. Parkinson, Justin (27 April 2011). "English local elections: Tory challenge to hold gains". BBC News. Retrieved 3 August 2011.
  4. Land, Jon (5 May 2011). "Labour seeks resurgence in council elections". 24dash.om. Retrieved 3 August 2011.
  5. 1 2 3 4 "Tories lose control at NDC". This is North Devon. 12 May 2011. Archived from the original on 14 March 2012. Retrieved 3 August 2011.
  6. "Long-serving Lib Dem to stand as an independent". This is Devon. 7 April 2011. Archived from the original on 5 April 2012. Retrieved 3 August 2011.
  7. 1 2 "Tories win the Torbay mayoral vote in Devon". BBC News. 6 May 2011. Retrieved 3 August 2011.
  8. "Conservatives lose control of North Devon council". BBC News. 6 May 2011. Retrieved 3 August 2011.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 "District Elections Thursday 5 May 2011: District Elections Candidates and Results Wards B to H". North Devon Council. Archived from the original on 26 August 2011. Retrieved 2 August 2011.
  10. Keeble, Andy (6 May 2011). "Independents' day at district council elections". North Devon Gazette . Retrieved 3 August 2011.
  11. 1 2 "Pre-meeting deal leaves Tories out in the cold". This is North Devon. 26 May 2011. Archived from the original on 14 March 2012. Retrieved 3 August 2011.
  12. 1 2 3 "A coalition for North Devon Council". North Devon Gazette . 20 May 2011. Retrieved 3 August 2011.
  13. "Coalition gives Devon council new Lib Dem leader". BBC News. 20 May 2011. Retrieved 3 August 2011.
  14. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 "District Elections Thursday 5 May 2011: District Elections Candidates and Results Wards I to Y". North Devon Council. Archived from the original on 27 August 2011. Retrieved 2 August 2011.