Daniel Clark
Cllr John Hart, leader of Devon County Council
- Credit: Daniel Clark
The Conservatives have retained control of Devon County Council for another for years – but with a reduced majority.
The Conservative Party now holds five of the eight North Devon seats and all of five of the county council election seats in Torridge.
Under John Hart’s leadership, the Conservative Party has been in charge of the council since 2009, and Thursday’s local elections saw it stretch that reign until 2025.
Coming into the vote, the Conservatives held 41 of the 60 seats, but they only held onto 39 following the conclusion of the counting on Saturday.
A social distancing reminder in Barnstaple. Picture: Matt Smart
- Credit: Matt Smart
North Devon and Torridge will be faced with further restrictions once the national lockdown ends on December 2.
Areas across England will be placed into one of three tiers when the lockdown ends, but the system has been toughened.
North Devon Council and Torridge District Council areas will be placed in tier two along with the rest of the county – a level higher than before the national lockdown.
The Government outlines tier two areas as ones with a higher or rapidly rising level of infections.
At tier two, households are not allowed to mix indoors, with a maximum of six people permitted outdoors.