Sidmouth’s county councillor Stuart Hughes has retained his seat in the latest elections.

The Conservative Party candidate will continue to represent the Sidmouth ward.

He got 2,601 votes while Louise MacAllister (independent) got 2,431 and Colin Mills (Labour Party) got 209.

Cllr Hughes said: “It was rewarding to see that once again my share of the vote increased and I now look forward to delivering on my pledges and addressing some of the issues that residents raised with me and my team during the campaign.

“I shall continue to provide residents with updates on what’s happening with regular hard copy Newsletters across areas of my division.

“It was unfortunate that the A375 Vicarage Road/Radway Temple Street and Sidford Road asset scheme had to be deferred until later this year, however there were some serious foundation issues that needed to be addressed or the scheme would fail again.

“Making permanent Phase 1 of the Sidmouth Traffic Management Plan is almost ready to be advertised and then we can start looking at Phase 2 in more detail.

“And the Sidford to Sidbury Phase 1 of the Cycle/Footpath link is at last ready to go to committee.”

In the Otter Valley, independent Jess Bailey won election to the seat vacated by Claire Wright.

She sealed 3,224 votes with Charlie Hobson (Conservative Party) getting 1,281, Luke Gray (Green Party) getting 204, Steve Bloomfield (Labour Party) 134 and Jake Slee (Liberal Democrats) 80.

Cllr Bailey said: “ I am absolutely thrilled and stunned and so grateful for all who voted for me. I am absolutely delighted and I want to say thank you to all those who voted for me. One of priorities will be the state of the roads, road safety, patchy broadband, Tipton St John school, and I am absolutely thrilled.”

Countywide, the Conservatives retained the control of Devon County Council for another four years – but with a reduced majority.

Under John Hart’s leadership, they have been in charge of the council since 2009, and Thursday’s local elections saw they stretch that reign until 2025.

The Liberal Democrats gained three seats to become the official opposition on nine, while Labour gained one seat in Exeter to end on seven.

The Green Party gained a seat in Broadclyst, as well as holding on to Totnes and Dartington, to return two councillors, while three Independents were elected (in Fremington Rural, Otter Valley and Newton Abbot South).

Cllr John Hart, leader of the council, said: “I’m very grateful to everyone who voted – no matter which party they chose – in difficult circumstances.”

Cllr Alan Connett, leader of the Liberal Democrat group, said: “Our job will be to promote to the people of Devon the things that are important, fixing the roads, mending children’s services, the economy, how we recover from Covid.

“What I want is a willingness from the Conservatives to work together on mending Devon’s economy.

“This is part of the journey back.”

Labour group leader Cllr Rob Hannaford said: “We have a fantastic team of county councillors who will bring a lot of strength and experience to County Hall.

“We will move forward with confidence and hold the administration to account.

“We will be a constructive opposition, if they are doing the right thing, we will back it, but if it needs to change, we will raise issues and lobby and get things done.”

Cllr Henry Gent, the Green party councillor who won the Broadclyst seat from a Conservative, added: “Thank you to the votes here how have realised that if you want Green, you must vote Green. As a Green I care for this patch of earth, the local people, and all our posterity.

“The only promise I make as a Green county councillor is to work hard and do my best for the people and place that I love most in the world.”