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
Councillor Sue Lees
Blackbrook & Holway
Liberal Democrat
Telephone: 01823 284374
Email: [email protected]
Councillor Federica Smith-Roberts
Blackbrook & Holway
Liberal Democrat
Telephone: 07545 895768
Email: [email protected]
Councillor Simon Lester
Comeytrowe
Liberal Democrat
Telephone: 07739 173096
Email: [email protected]
Councillor Judy Stainthorpe
Comeytrowe
Liberal Democrat
Telephone: 07473 507914
Email: [email protected]
Councillor Martin Straus
Halcon & Lane
Liberal Democrat
Deputy Leader of the Council
Chair of Community Services Committee
Telephone: 07470 078131
Email: [email protected]
Councillor Ray Tully
Halcon & Lane
Liberal Democrat
Chair of Finance and Governance Committee
Chair of Personnel Sub-Committee
Telephone: 01823 252368
Email: [email protected]
Councillor Giuseppe Fraschini
Maidenbrook
Conservative
Vice Chair of Finance and Governance Committee
Telephone: 07859 970530
Email: [email protected]
Councillor Bev Fernandes
Manor & Tangier
Liberal Democrat
Vice Chair of Community Services Committee
Telephone: 07880 555984
Email: [email protected]
Councillor Caroline Ellis
North Town
Liberal Democrat
Telephone: 07473 119425
Email: [email protected]
Councillor Tom Deakin
Obridge
Liberal Democrat
Leader of the Council
Telephone: 07794 435621
Email: [email protected]
Councillor Richard Lees
Victoria
Liberal Democrat
Vice Chair of Grants Sub-Committee
Telephone: 01823 284374
Email: [email protected]
Councillor Amber Packer-Hughes
Vivary
Liberal Democrat
Chair of Grants Sub-Committee
Vice Chair of Personnel Sub-Committee
Telephone: 07929 019268
Email: [email protected]
Councillor Connor Sollé
Vivary
Liberal Democrat
Vice Chair of Planning, Development and Transport
Telephone: 07469 290221
Email: [email protected]
Councillor Marcia Hill
Wellsprings & Rowbarton
Liberal Democrat
Chair of Planning, Development and Transport
Telephone: 01823 284065
Email: [email protected]
Councillor Nick O’Donnell
Wellsprings & Rowbarton
Liberal Democrat
Mayor of Taunton
Telephone: 07969 921010
Email: [email protected]
Councillor Vanessa Garside
Wilton & Sherford
Liberal Democrat
Deputy Mayor of Taunton
Telephone: 07925 585605
Email: [email protected]
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.