A by-election has been scheduled for May 7 to fill the vacant Mendip Hills council seat following the untimely death of Tony Robbins, a respected former mayor of Wells and dedicated councillor. Mr. Robbins, elected in May 2022 as one of two Liberal Democrat representatives for the Mendip Hills division of Somerset Council, was widely admired across the largely rural district encompassing villages from Midsomer Norton to Shepton Mallet and Wells.
His sudden passing on February 8 prompted heartfelt tributes, including from his fellow councillor Edric Hobbs, who remarked that Mr. Robbins was “widely known and liked and will be missed by a great many people.”
The forthcoming by-election will determine who will serve the area’s residents until the next scheduled full council meeting on May 20. Six candidates are standing for election, listed here alphabetically:
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- Mr. Ledlie, a longstanding figure within the Yeovil Labour Party, who previously contested the Yeovil parliamentary seat in 2019, finishing third.
- Ms. McGuire from Shepton Mallet, who ran as an independent in the 2024 general election, placing sixth out of seven in the Wells and Mendip Hills seat.
- Ms. Perold of Chewton Mendip, known for advocating council action to improve horse-riding routes near Priddy in the Mendip Hills national landscape.
- Sam Phripp, who currently works at the Centre for Homelessness Impact and brings experience as former Somerset’s youngest county councillor and a prior Mendip District councillor.
- Mr. Stone, an outspoken critic of council tax increases and asset sales aimed at balancing Somerset Council’s budget.
- Ms. Welsh, Wells resident and chair of the Wells and Mendip Hills Green Party branch, who also works for the NHS.
Polling stations will open across the Mendip Hills division on May 7 from 7 a.m. until 10 p.m., with results expected early the following morning.