Sidmouth: By-election to be held for Newton Poppleford & Harpford

Voters in Newton Poppleford & Harpford will head to the polls next month to elect a new East Devon District councillor.

The by-election was called following the death of Cllr Val Ranger in August.

Cllr Ranger had served on the council since 2015 and was the current vice chair of the district. Her seat will be filled by one of three candidates:

• Chris Burhop (Independent)
• Paul Carter (Conservatives)
• Caleb Early (Labour)

Cllr Ranger was a member of the Democratic Alliance Group which, until the seat became available, held the majority on the council with 23 seats.

Following Cllr Ranger's death, they now have the same number of seats as the Conservatives, so the election results could tip the political balance on the council, just seven months before the next district-wide election.

If the Conservatives take the Newton Poppleford & Harpford seat, they will hold the majority in the council.

If the independent candidate wins and affiliates with the Democratic Alliance group, the group will regain the majority. If the independent candidate affiliates differently or remains unaffiliated, or the Labour candidate takes the seat, then the council will be left in no overall control.

The polling stations will be open on Thursday 10 November from 7am until 10pm.