Congratulations to Derrick Spear and Adam Bradford, who on Thursday 2nd November, GAINED Braunton East from the Conservatives in both the District and Parish Council Level By-elections.

Thank you to our fantastic team of volunteers, from local parties across the South West and beyond, who delivered two stunning victories.  The results were as follows:

North Devon District Council (Braunton East) (LD GAIN)
Liberal Democrats (Derrick Spear) - 459 (37%)
Green - 387 (31%)
Conservatives - 225 (18%)
Labour - 165 (13%)

Braunton Parish Council (Braunton East) (LD GAIN)
Liberal Democrats (Adam Bradford) - 546 (46%)
Green - 496 (42%)
Labour - 147 (12%)

Well done everyone!

Thank you to our fantastic team of volunteers, from local parties across the South West and beyond, who delivered two stunning victories.

Derrick Spear speaks about his latest concerns regarding Chivenor Royal Marine Barracks.

David Worden, Lib Dem councillor in South Molton and school governor uncovers the truth behind the so-called “fair funding” for schools in North Devon. It’s not fair and there is no new funding in real terms!

“On September 14th Justine Greening, the Tory Education Secretary, issued what appeared to be a very welcome statement concerning education funding. In it she said that the government would be introducing fair funding by putting an extra £1.3 billion into schools over the next two years. Hurray! we all thought – at last steps are being taken to give us fair funding! She went on to say:

The Barnstaple Town Council by-election held on 14th September resulted in the Liberal Democrats holding the seat.  Lib Dems welcome Julian Williams as a representative of Central Ward.

Results were

Commenting on the result, Barnstaple County and District Councillor Brian Greenstreet said

"Compared to the previous Central Ward by election on June 8th Labour fell from second place to third place so the Labour advance in North Devon has been blunted."

Sir Nick Harvey, President of North Devon Liberal Democrats has been appointed interim Chief Executive of the Lib Dems national party. 

Nick was formerly MP for North Devon and was Minister of State for the Armed Forces in the coalition government.  Prior to becoming an MP Nick worked in the City, gaining wide-ranging experience in PR, human resources, management and delivering change.

Nick says of his appointment:

Ian Roome, Lib Dem councillor in Barnstaple and a governor at Pilton School writes:

"As a school governor and parent, I know at first-hand what the year on year cuts to school budgets mean for teachers and students. Even the government has accepted that their austerity has gone too far and have now promised a small extra amount to schools. But the message hasn’t got through to Tory controlled Devon County Council. At their meeting in June, they slashed budgets by £33 per pupil – that means nearly £50,000 for Pilton schools, the equivalent of two teachers’ salaries.

Liberal Democrat Cllrs Ian Roome and Joy Cann are really pleased that Yeo Valley Community Woodland in Barnstaple has retained its Green Flag status, as one of the UKs best green spaces.

The park is among a record-breaking 1,797 UK parks and green spaces that have received a prestigious Green Flag Award this year. This international award is a sign that the parks boast the highest possible environmental standards, are beautifully maintained and have excellent visitor facilities.

Liberal Democrat County and District Councillor Brian Greenslade talks to Joel Cooper of the North Devon Journal about the history of the North Devon Link Road, its dangers, and why he has been campaigning for more than 30 years  to make the road safer.

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North Devon County Councillor Brian Greenslade says he is deeply upset by the two tragic accidents on the North Devon Link Rd on the stretch from South Molton to the West Buckland turning. The accidents took place on Sunday and Monday (30th and 31st July).

He said “it is deeply upsetting that two tragic accidents have taken place so close to each other within the space of two days. Ours thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends caught up in the accidents. We think particularly about the Mother and two children who have been killed on Monday.

Barnstaple Lib Dem County Councillor Brian Greenslade said “I am very disappointed for our schools who already get funded at £290 per pupil less than average from government. The Conservative majority at County Hall made this worse by then cutting a further £33 per pupil from school budgets this year.

North Devon Schools lost £409,000 this year because of this local decision.