THE people of Crediton went to the polls yesterday, Thursday, November 25, to vote for two new councillors to be their representatives on the award-winning Crediton Town Council.

The election was for one candidate in each of the town wards, Boniface and Lawrence.

It was a good day for the Liberal Democrats with both of their candidates elected.

The results announced at the count held at the Mid Devon District Council offices at Phoenix House, Tiverton, were:

Crediton (Boniface Ward)

Natalia Letch (Liberal Democrats) 344 Elected

Evelyne Spaul (Independents for Crediton) 249.

Three papers which were unmarked or wholly void for uncertainty were rejected.

The electorate was 3,168 and ballot papers issued was 596.

Turnout was poor at just 19 per cent.

Crediton (Lawrence Ward)

Sandra Chenore (Liberal Democrats) 270 Elected

Imogen May (Independents for Crediton) 221

Rachel Morgan (Independent) 74.

Three papers which were unmarked or wholly void for uncertainty were rejected.

The electorate was 2,928 and ballot papers issued was 568.

Turnout was also poor at just 19 per cent.

Crediton Town Council is a medium-sized town council, with 12 seats. All councillors are responsible for setting the annual budget, attending council meetings and ensuring decision-making is properly implemented.

The elections took place following the death of Cllr John Ross and the resignation of Cllr Paul Vincent.

THREE FROM ONE FAMILY

These results now mean that three members of one family are now councillors on Crediton Town Council.

They are Cllr Frank Letch MBE, the former town Mayor; his wife, Mrs Natalia Letch and Mr Letch’s daughter, Cllr Hannah Zorlu.

NATALIA LETCH

Former Crediton Mayoress, volunteer advisor, passionate gardener and devoted wife, Natalia is a University graduated engineer and worked on television for 25 years.
Natalia is a well-known face around Crediton since she came here in 2006.

When asked what she thought were the biggest challenges facing the Town Council, she said: “We are facing unprecedented challenges including climate change, pandemic, drugs abuse, neglected children and youth, depressed people, etc, etc with a shortage of salaries and funds on the background.
“Now, think about bureaucracy: the power of the decision making is unevenly distributed between Crediton Town Council, Mid Devon District Council and Devon County Council. It’s even more complicated than sorting your household waste between eight different recycling bags and boxes!”

What things could the Town Council do to help tackle climate change?

“There is a lot that can be done: transport improvement; electric cars welcome; natural habitat areas maintained; local food sustainable production and promotion; environmental education in Crediton schools.
“I attended the COP26 Conference in the Boniface Centre and was amazed how many wonderful ideas were introduced there.

“Now we must put them into practice!”

SANDRA CHENORE

Before the election, Sandra Chenore said: “I’m Sandy, I’m a teacher by training, specialising in the educational needs for those children that need extra support. I’m a mother of two, and passionate chorister. I’ve moved to the Crediton area recently, before that I was in Exeter.”

If elected she says she would be one of the youngest councillors.

“I think I would bring a different perspective to the role; the perspective of a young mother with a job and never enough time.

“I’m a great believer in the power of the community. It has been much derided of late but I really think we are stronger because of our family, friends and neighbours. Perhaps that is one of the positives to have come out of the Covid-19 pandemic, we’ve all come to realise that we do not exist in isolation we all depend upon each other.”

Asked what she thought were the biggest challenges facing the Town Council Sandy said: “A challenge for the Council is finding its role. Mid Devon District Council and Devon County Council are responsible for a lot of things that affect Crediton residents.

“Sometimes it can be difficult for the Town to find its voice. The Town Council spends around £300,000 but this is dwarfed by the money MDDC and DCC spend. I’ll try to help ensure the Town Council focusses on getting Crediton its fair share of the money spent by Mid Devon and Devon Councils.”

Sandy said she would like to see what more can be done for young people in the town, praising the town council for appointing a full-time youth officer.

On climate change she said: “I worry that people can feel overwhelmed by the apparent immensity of the challenge we face, and of course as a mother I worry about the world my children will live in. I think we need to promote a message that it is small changes from all of us that can make a big difference.

“The sustainable clothing movement is gaining momentum and it is this type of small change which I think people can easily achieve themselves that will help make a difference. It won’t fix the problem but if we don’t identify the things people can do themselves then they will just give up hope. I think the Council can play its part in identifying to people what it can do to make things better for us all.”