TAUNTON Deane residents have voted to elect the first Green councillor for its current cohort of representatives. 

A by election for Wiveliscombe and West Deane took place yesterday (April 5) following the resignation of Independent councillor Steve Ross in February who had held one of the ward’s two seat since first being elected in 2011.

Somerset County Gazette:

HAPPY: Dave after his election victory. 

Three people stood for the position for the Conservative, LibDem and Green party. 

David Gary Mansell (Green Party) bagged the victory with 600 votes, followed by Susan Levinge (LibDem) with 389 votes and Philip Thorne (Conservative) with 352.

This leaves the political make-up of the council as 33 Conservatives, 15 LibDem, 4 Independents, 2 Labour, 1 UKIP, and 1 Green.