THERE are six people in the race to represent Ilminster on the district council.

They will be fighting it out for two seats when residents go to the polls on May 2.

Elsewhere, the town council election for Ilminster will be uncontested. 13 members of the public are standing for the available 15 seats.

Opinions given below are those of the candidate or their party.

Brian Hamilton, Liberal Democrat

Brian is standing for the District Council elections in May alongside experienced Councillor Val Keitch, because he wants to stand up for the people and community of Ilminster that have made him and his wife Carol feel so welcome.

Brian will continue the high level of service that the people of Ilminster have come to expect.

Liberal Democrat councillors have fought for Ilminster by securing funding for projects such as the Warehouse Youth Theatre.

They have held developers to account and insisted that future developments in Ilminster are proportionate, considerate and reflect local concerns, whilst meeting the needs for housing for young and vulnerable people.

Brian aims to improve Ilminster’s infrastructure, making it an even better and more attractive place for residents and businesses. 

As one of your two district councillors Brian will push to continually improve Ilminster’s environment and amenities and focus on the future of our town.

Veronica Horman, Conservative

Veronica Horman has lived in Station Road, Ilminster for many years and loves the town.

She is married to Roger and their daughter Sabrina grew up and married in Ilminster.

Veronica wants to protect the town from overdevelopment such as that suggested for Canal Way and the Horlicks site (which is on the flood plain).

She considers the way the district is trying to reintroduce the Shudrick Lane site so soon after it was turned down on appeal is outrageous.

A committee member of FOIL (friends of Ilminster Library) Veronica is fighting to preserve and enhance Library provision in the town.

Veronica’s degree in Mathematics will be put to good use as she investigates why the council tax keeps rising without a noticeable rise in services.

Veronica enjoys walking, the theatre (she was recently Uncle Ted’ in the One Act Play Festival), history, reading and music occasionally playing the organ in Church.

Val Keitch, Liberal Democrat

Councillor Val Keitch is standing again for the District Council elections in May alongside Brian Hamilton.

Both want to continue to deliver the high level of service that the people of Ilminster have come to expect of their District Councillors.

In recent times your Liberal Democrat District Councillors have fought for Ilminster by securing funding for projects such as the Warehouse Youth Theatre.

They have held developers to account and demanded that any future developments in Ilminster are proportionate, considerate and reflect local concerns.
All while balancing the need for housing for young and vulnerable people.

Liberal Democrat councillors have helped stave off closure of our library and continue to support its future.

Moving forward, Val and Brian as your District Councillors will push to continually improve Ilminster’s environment and amenities.

Vote for the future of Ilminster - Vote for Val Keitch and Brian Hamilton on May 2.

The Lib Dem plan for Ilminster: invest in local services, invest in our communities, invest in our environment

We are working to improve our environment by investing in green technology, seeking to invest in electric vehicle charging ports in our car parks and improve public transport and internet connectivity.

Peter Lansdown, Green Party

The Climate Crisis is here. It requires proper action and social equality. The Green Party demands both.

Young people, Greta Thunberg in Sweden and Eve Tizzard in Yeovil, have spoken about their fears for the future.

School children around the world are striking. Extinction Rebellion is rising. Google and learn more.

Somerset County Council has been challenged and declared a Climate Emergency.

Fracking is likely in Somerset, there are rubbish tips on the Levels with sea levels rising, the Council has fossil fuel investments, electric car chargers are needed; public transport must grow, private must shrink.

Action is needed. SSDC has yet to declare an emergency. New buildings must be to the highest standards and recycling improved.

Social facilities must be accessible to all, with minimal travel. Each person must reduce their carbon footprint.
But how? Councils must lead.

Ian Mackillop, Labour

The Conservatives got in by the skin of their teeth in 2017 allowing them to implement their policy of ending central government funding, leaving local authorities to fund their services through business rates and council tax alone, while preventing them from raising either by any meaningful amount.

Consequently South Somerset, along with every other district is faced with the prospect of implementing still more cuts.

Labour is committed to providing the resources essential to the maintenance of these services, with particular regard to the planning authorities, allowing them to stand up to the major property developers and putting community priorities above their profits.

This is part and parcel of our stated aim of handing back power from central government to the communities, where we believe it truly belongs.

If elected, I intend to use whatever powers are at my disposal to implement these policies here in South Somerset at every opportunity.

Wendy Outram, Conservative

Since moving to the area 25 years ago Wendy has grown to love Ilminster and is deeply committed to preserving its unique character, improving the services provided, and securing better value for money for ratepayers.

“We need a much more rigorous approach to the control of Council spending,” she says, “and that means eliminating waste at all levels.

We must focus on what is really important to us as a community, and I aim to ensure that Ilminster gets at least its fair share of available funds.”

Wendy is worried that District planners seem to be intent on turning Ilminster into a dormitory town for bigger towns in the area, without proper consideration for employment, education, transport and the necessary infrastructure to support the planned expansion.

She will fight to maintain the town’s character and avoid overdevelopment.

The future of Ilminster is very close to Wendy’s heart.