A NEWLY-formed group of nine Ilminster residents is attempting to shake up the town council at the upcoming elections.

The non-political collection of candidates, calling themselves the Voice for Ilminster, combines a mix of current councillors and new faces, even from across different political parties.

Among its ambitions, it says, is to improve communication with the electorate.

The group says it has a “common vision for Ilminster’s future openness and transparency on decisions.”

The nine Voice for Ilminster town council election candidates are Fred Albin, Drew Belobaba, Robert Drayton, John Fagan, Julie Fowler, Don Kinder, Rose Neave, who is standing for re-election, Stuart Shepherd, who is also standing for re-election, and Tony Walker.

It was confirmed that an election was to take place in Ilminster when 20 candidates put themselves forward for election this month.

As reported in her News column earlier this year, current Mayor Emma Jane Taylor will not be standing for re-election.

The remaining 11 candidates are Philip Burton, former Mayor Carol Goodall, Val Keitch, current Deputy Mayor Andrew Lawson, John Pallister, Andrew Shearman, Jo Southern, Sophie Storey, Roger Swann, Vernon Higgins, and Sally-Anne Walmsley.

In Chard, some town council candidates have already been elected unopposed.

In the Combe ward, Amanda Broom, Andy Kenton, and Steve Warwick have been elected, while in the Crimchard ward, Martin Carnell, current Mayor Jenny Kenton and Jenny Orchard were also unopposed.

And in the Holyrood ward, Jason Baker was handed a seat, while Brennie Halse and Sue Wyatt re-took their positions on the town council.

The candidates for the Avishayes ward are Peter Amey, Graham Forsyth, Cath Morrison, David O’Brien, Tricia O’Brien and Garry Shortland, while in the Jocelyn ward, Dave Bulmer, Paul Dobbs, Sara Dowell, Irene Glynn and Dave Orchard are standing for election.

Last week, The News listed the candidates for South Somerset District Council, however, a few names were missed off due to an unfortunate production error.

In the Tatworth and Forton ward, Conservative Russ Wardell is also standing alongside the two candidates listed, while in the Neroche ward the candidates are Jo Dawson (Liberal Democrats), Clive Rust (UKIP), and Linda Vijeh (Conservatives).