CONGRATULATIONS to newly-elected Benet Allen on West Somerset Council after the Minehead South by-election.

This spectacular victory for the Lib Dems over the Conservatives must be seen as a powerful local rejection of the West Somerset Conservatives who have presided over the financial meltdown on West Somerset Council - the same people who are due to take control of Taunton Deane alongside John Williams if the merger of the two councils goes through.

The result is also a rejection of the 6 per cent council tax increase, with even more cuts in services which Somerset Tories have voted to impose, to much opposition from the Lib Dems and the wider community. 

Next up we have another by-election, in Wiveliscombe, for a place on Taunton Deane Borough Council; we shall see what happens...

CLLR CHRIS BOOTH
Taunton Deane Borough Councillor for Halcon