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
- Community Service Committee
- Personnel Sub-Committee
- Grants Sub-Committee
Telephone: 01823 284374
Email: [email protected]
Councillor Federica Smith-Roberts
Blackbrook & Holway
Liberal Democrat
- Finance and Governance
- Personnel Sub-Committee
Telephone: 07545 895768
Email: [email protected]
Councillor Simon Lester
Comeytrowe
Liberal Democrat
- Planning, Development and Transport
Telephone: 07739 173096
Email: [email protected]
Councillor Judy Stainthorpe
Comeytrowe
Liberal Democrat
- Finance and Governance
- Planning, Development and Transport
Telephone: 07473 507914
Email: [email protected]
Councillor Martin Straus
Halcon & Lane
Liberal Democrat
- Deputy Leader of the Council
- Community Services Committee (Chair)
- Planning, Development and Transport
Telephone: 07470 078131
Email: [email protected]
Councillor Ray Tully
Halcon & Lane
Liberal Democrat
- Finance and Governance (Chair)
- Community Services Committee
- Planning, Development and Transport
- Personnel Sub-Committee (Chair)
- Grants Sub-Committee
Telephone: 01823 252368
Email: [email protected]
Councillor Simon Clarke
Lyngford
Liberal Democrat
- Community Services Committee
- Grants Sub-Committee
Telephone: 07726 768068
Email: [email protected]
Councillor Giuseppe Fraschini
Maidenbrook
Conservative
- Finance and Governance (Vice Chair)
Telephone: 07859 970530
Email: [email protected]
Councillor Bev Fernandes
Manor & Tangier
Liberal Democrat
- Community Services Committee (Vice Chair)
- Planning, Development and Transport
Telephone: 07880 555984
Email: [email protected]
Councillor Caroline Ellis
North Town
Liberal Democrat
- Communities Services Committee
- Grants Sub-Committee
Telephone: 07473 119425
Email: [email protected]
Councillor Tom Deakin
Obridge
Liberal Democrat
- Leader of the Council
- Finance and Governance
- Grants Sub-Committee
Telephone: 07794 435621
Email: [email protected]
Councillor Gemma Evans
Pyrland
Liberal Democrat
- Community Services Committee
Telephone: 07957 340906
Email: [email protected]
Councillor Ed Firmin
Staplegrove
Liberal Democrat
- Finance and Governance
- Planning, Development and Transport
- Personnel Sub-Committee
Telephone: 07786 320704
Email: [email protected]
Councillor Richard Lees
Victoria
Liberal Democrat
- Grants Sub-Committee (Vice Chair)
Telephone: 01823 284374
Email: [email protected]
Councillor Paul Tooze
Victoria
Liberal Democrat
- Finance and Governance
- Planning, Development and Transport
Telephone: 07884 070391
Email: [email protected]
Councillor Amber Packer-Hughes
Vivary
Liberal Democrat
- Finance and Governance
- Personnel Sub-Committee (Vice Chair)
- Grants Sub-Committee (Chair)
Telephone: 07929 019268
Email: [email protected]
Councillor Connor Sollé
Vivary
Liberal Democrat
- Planning, Development and Transport (Vice Chair)
Telephone: 07469 290221
Email: [email protected]
Councillor Marcia Hill
Wellsprings & Rowbarton
Liberal Democrat
- Planning, Development and Transport (Chair)
Telephone: 01823 284065
Email: [email protected]
Councillor Nick O’Donnell
Wellsprings & Rowbarton
Liberal Democrat
- Mayor of Taunton
- Community Services Committee
Telephone: 07969 921010
Email: [email protected]
Councillor Vanessa Garside
Wilton & Sherford
Liberal Democrat
- Deputy Mayor of Taunton
- Finance and Governance
- Community Services Committee
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.
