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Councillors

Parish and Town councillors act as ambassadors for their community, keeping everyone aware of local needs and concerns and reporting back on district, council and regional matters.  Councillors represent the voice of their community as a whole, whilst being aware of, and considerate to, specific minority needs.

Taunton is divided into 14 wards and there are 20 councillors in total. The current political make-up of the Council is as follows:

  • Liberal Democrat – 19
  • Conservative – 1

Cllr Sue Lees

Councillor Sue Lees 

Blackbrook & Holway

Liberal Democrat

Telephone: 01823 284374

Email: [email protected]

Register of Members’ Interests

Cllr Federica Smith Roberts

Councillor Federica Smith-Roberts 

Blackbrook & Holway

Liberal Democrat

Telephone: 07545 895768

Email: [email protected]

Register of Members’ Interests

Cllr Simon Lester

Councillor Simon Lester 

Comeytrowe

Liberal Democrat

Telephone: 07739 173096

Email: [email protected]

Register of Members’ Interests

Cllr Judy Stainthorpe

Councillor Judy Stainthorpe 

Comeytrowe

Liberal Democrat

Telephone: 07473 507914

Email: [email protected]

Register of Members’ Interests

Cllr Martin Straus

Councillor Martin Straus 

Halcon & Lane

Liberal Democrat 

Deputy Leader of the Council

Chair of Community Services Committee

Telephone: 07470 078131

Email: [email protected]

Register of Members’ Interests

Cllr Raymond Tully

Councillor Ray Tully 

Halcon & Lane

Liberal Democrat 

Chair of Finance and Governance Committee

Chair of Personnel Sub-Committee

Telephone: 01823 252368

Email: [email protected]

Register of Members’ Interests

Cllr Simon Clarke

Councillor Simon Clarke

Lyngford

Liberal Democrat 

Telephone: 07726 768068

Email: [email protected]

Register of Members’ Interests

Cllr Giuseppe Fraschini

Councillor Giuseppe Fraschini 

Maidenbrook

Conservative 

Vice Chair of Finance and Governance Committee

Telephone: 07859 970530

Email: [email protected]

Register of Members’ Interests

Cllr Bev Fernandes

Councillor Bev Fernandes 

Manor & Tangier

Liberal Democrat 

Vice Chair of Community Services Committee

Telephone: 07880 555984

Email: [email protected]

Register of Members’ Interests

Cllr Caroline Ellis

Councillor Caroline Ellis 

North Town

Liberal Democrat 

Telephone: 07473 119425

Email: [email protected]

Register of Members’ Interests

Cllr Tom Deakin

Councillor Tom Deakin

Obridge

Liberal Democrat 

Leader of the Council

Telephone: 07794 435621

Email: [email protected]

Register of Members’ Interests

Cllr Gemma Evans

Councillor Gemma Evans 

Pyrland

Liberal Democrat 

Telephone: 07957 340906

Email: [email protected]

Register of Members’ Interests

Cllr Edward Firmin

Councillor Ed Firmin

Staplegrove

Liberal Democrat 

Telephone: 07786 320704

Email: [email protected]

Register of Members’ Interests

Cllr Dr Richard Lees

Councillor Richard Lees 

Victoria

Liberal Democrat 

Vice Chair of Grants Sub-Committee

Telephone: 01823 284374

Email: [email protected]

Register of Members’ Interests

Cllr Paul Tooze

Councillor Paul Tooze 

Victoria

Liberal Democrat 

Telephone: 07884 070391

Email: [email protected]

Register of Members’ Interests

Cllr Amber Packer Hughes

Councillor Amber Packer-Hughes

Vivary

Liberal Democrat 

Chair of Grants Sub-Committee

Vice Chair of Personnel Sub-Committee

Telephone: 07929 019268

Email: [email protected]

Register of Members’ Interests

Cllr Connor Solle

Councillor Connor Sollé

 Vivary

Liberal Democrat 

Vice Chair of Planning, Development and Transport

Telephone: 07469 290221

Email: [email protected]

Register of Members’ Interests

Cllr Marcia Hill

Councillor Marcia Hill 

Wellsprings & Rowbarton

Liberal Democrat 

Chair of Planning, Development and Transport

Telephone: 01823 284065

Email: [email protected]

Register of Members’ Interests

Cllr Nicholas O'donnell

Councillor Nick O’Donnell 

Wellsprings & Rowbarton

Liberal Democrat 

Mayor of Taunton

Telephone: 07969 921010

Email: [email protected]

Register of Members’ Interests

Cllr Vanessa Garside

Councillor Vanessa Garside 

Wilton & Sherford

Liberal Democrat 

Deputy Mayor of Taunton

Telephone: 07925 585605

Email: [email protected]

Register of Members’ Interests

Become a Councillor

Being a councillor is a great way to speak up for your community. You can stand for election in your town or parish.

You can be an independent or represent a political party. If you want to represent a party, you will first need to join one and ask them to select you as their candidate for your area.

For more guidance regarding standing as a candidate please visit the electoral commission website or the Be a councillor website.

The next scheduled election for the Town Council will be in 2027.