LOCAL elections are taking place on May 4, 2023 and the Upper Yeo and Taw ward candidates for Mid Devon District Council are: Upper Yeo and Taw: Peter John Heal (Conservative), Natalia Letch (Liberal Democrats), Stuart James Penny (Conservative), Hayden Stuart Owen Sharp (Labour), Andy Wyer (Liberal Democrats).

Following are their election details.  

The polls will be open between the hours of 7am and 10pm, and local residents will be asked to select two candidates as their representatives at Mid Devon District Council.

Voters are reminded to take along their Photo ID or they will be unable to vote!

Natalia Letch - Liberal Democrat

Natalia was trained and certified by Citizens Advice in 2012, since when she has been a successful advisor on benefits, employment and debts. 

In 2021 she was elected to the Crediton Town Council, Boniface Ward.  She has brought her skills in helping, to targeting difficult problems. Now she wants to use her knowledge to help people of the Upper Yeo and Taw Ward. 

Natalia took a key role in the campaign to overturn the parking charges increases in Crediton. She is active in the local COP26 group and has represented her community at Mid Devon Planning Committee meetings, helping improve the ecological quality of the upcoming Creedy Bridge project.

Natalia is a leader of CISCO (Crediton International Social and Cultural Organisation) providing free English lessons for refugees and migrants.

Andi Wyer - Liberal Democrat

Andi Wyer is a Councillor on Mid Devon District Council.

“Mid Devon is going through a period of rapid change with the growth in the size of Crediton, Tiverton and Cullompton. It is essential that the smaller villages and hamlets, like Copplestone and Bow do not get left behind. They also need good transport, schools and shops,” said Andi. “The Council must focus on building communities.”

Peter Heal – Conservative

Peter was born and raised in Mid Devon and has run a specialised paint distribution business in Crediton for the past 16 years. He was first elected to Mid Devon District Council in 2011 and served as Chairman of the Decent and Affordable Homes Policy Development Group, working to provide quality social housing and affordable homes.

Peter had the honour of serving as Chairman of the Council from 2017-2019 and more recently has served as Chair of Mid Devon’s Planning Committee – one of the toughest roles within the council.

Peter has been a consistent voice for the preservation of rural services and amenities and has supported the installation of "20 is Plenty" signs to improve road safety in our villages.

He campaigned in support of the smaller railway stations on the Tarka Line when a North Devon transport group proposed closing them to reduce journey times between Barnstaple and Exeter. 

Stuart Penny – Conservative

Stuart has lived in Copplestone most of his adult life, working in both the public and private sectors.

He has also lived in Bow and his family ran a market garden business in Down St Mary. Stuart and his wife Sam are foster carers, giving them a unique insight into how services for young people operate.

A former Chair of Copplestone Parish Council, he organised the purchase and installation of the village’s first war memorial. Stuart was elected to Mid Devon District Council in 2019 and played a key role in securing £2.8 million to switch the council’s leisure centres to renewable energy sources – cutting carbon emissions and saving the council money.

Stuart helped to secure £21,000 for Copplestone play park and played a leading role in the local Covid-19 response effort. One of Stuart’s top priorities is the installation of street lighting in Bow from the village to the Co-op.

Hayden Sharp - Labour

Hayden says: "I live in Zeal Monachorum and am studying Politics and Economics at university.

"I've witnessed the damage that successive Conservative Governments have done to our rural areas, schools, health services and the environment. Devon deserves better!"