The 2019 South Somerset District Council election took place on 2 May 2019 to elect members of South Somerset District Council in Somerset, England. The whole council was up for election on new boundaries. The Liberal Democrats held the council with an increased majority, up from 1 to 22.
Result Summary
Results by Ward
Blackdown & Tatworth
Blackmoor Vale
Bruton
Brympton
Burrow Hill
Camelot
Cary
Chard Avishayes
Chard Combe
Chard Crimchard
Chard Holyrood
Chard Jocelyn
Coker
Crewkerne
Curry Rivel, Huish & Langport Ward
Eggwood
Hamdon
Ilminster
Islemoor
Martock
Milborne Port
Neroche
Northstone, Ivelchester & St Michael's Ward
Parrett
South Petherton
Tower
Turn Hill
Wessex
Wincanton
Windwhistle
Yeovil College
Yeovil Lyde
Yeovil Summerlands
Yeovil Westland
Yeovil Without
Changes 2019–2023 On 15 October 2019, Liberal Democrat councillors Neil Bloomfield and Louise Clarke (Martock) left the party to sit as independents, citing concerns over the council's leadership and handling of planning. By March 2020, Louise Clarke had rejoined the Liberal Democrats, and Liberal Democrat councillor Mike Lock (Yeovil Without) was sitting as an independent. In May 2020, Conservative councillor Charlie Hull (Northstone, Ivelchester & St Michael's) joined the Green Party. By 7 May 2020, independent councillor Dean Ruddle (Wessex), who had previously been a Conservative, had joined the Liberal Democrats. Between May 2021 and May 2022, Liberal Democrat councillor Crispin Raikes (South Petherton) became an independent. In March 2023, the council marked the death of Conservative councillor Malcolm Cavill (Islemoor); his seat remained vacant until the council was abolished. On 1 April 2023, South Somerset District Council was abolished and replaced by the unitary Somerset Council.
By-elections
Parrett
The Parrett by-election was held following the resignation of Liberal Democrat councillor Tony Vaughan.
Neroche
The Neroche by-election was triggered by the resignation of Conservative councillor Linda Vijeh, effective 1 January 2022.
Brympton
The Brympton by-election was held following the death of Liberal Democrat councillor Alan Smith in April 2022, after a period of illness.
References