Contact Us

Members of the Liberal Democrat Group

Group Office

Room A310, Somerset County Council, County Hall, TAUNTON TA1 4DY
01823 356 780
info@somersetlibdems.org.uk

Alan Gloak

Alan Gloak is the county councillor for Glastonbury and also Chair of the Liberal Democrat Group. With the experience he brings from being Chair of Council for the last four years, he is also ably qualified to sit on the Standards Committee.
Coombe House, Bove Town, Glastonbury, BA6 8JG
01458 831 998
afgloak@somerset.gov.uk
http://www.somersetlibdems.org.uk/pages/Alan-Gloak.html

Alan Paul

Alan Paul is the county councillor for Taunton West and is also a member of the Shadow Cabinet team for HR, Resources and Strategy & Communications (combined).
6 Fulwood Close, Comeytrowe, Taunton, TA1 4TH
01823 278 794
apaul@somerset.gov.uk

Alvin Horsfall

Alvin Horsfall is the county councillor for Frome South. He also represents the council on the Devon & Somerset Fire and Rescue Service.
14 Paul Street, Frome, Somerset, BA11 1DT
01373 461 446
ajhorsfall@somerset.gov.uk
http://www.alvinhorsfall.mycouncillor.org.uk/

Cathy Bakewell

Cathy Bakewell is the county councillor for Coker Ward and shadow cabinet member for 'Community' and 'Community Safety'. She is also the lead opposition member on the Regulation Committee. Cathy is also the IDeA lead peer for the South West and East of England regions. Her wider roles include being a member of the South West Regional Development Agency. To find out more about what happens in her division, visit her web page below. CATHY'S BIOGRAPHY: "I was first elected to Somerset County Council in 1993. I am seeking re-election to represent the Cokers Division for a further 4 year term. I have thoroughly enjoyed being your County Councillor and representing your views at County Hall. I believe there is still work to be done, especially in protecting rural schools, post offices and shops, pubs and local bus services. Those of us who live in our villages want them to be thriving places where families can safely bring up their children, where we can easily access the services in neighbouring towns and where the elderly may enjoy the countryside and make a continuing contribution to the community. An important emerging issue is protecting and creating jobs in the local area. I have lived in Hardington Mandeville with my husband for over 20 years. We have two grown up children, who have now moved away to start lives of their own, and a dog called Jenny."
Beech Cottage, Rectory Lane, Hardington Mandeville, Yeovil, BA22 9PG
01935 862 751
cmbakewell@somerset.gov.uk
http://www.somersetlibdems.org.uk/pages/cathybakewell.html

Claire Gordon

Claire Gordon is the county councillor for Taunton North and also represents the council on the Avon & Somerset Policy Authority. Claire is a member of the Shadow Cabinet team for Children & Young People. To learn more about Claire's involvement in her division, visit her web page below.
189 Greenway Road, Taunton, TA2 6LQ
01823 332 592
cgordon@somerset.gov.uk
http://www.somersetlibdems.org.uk/pages/claire-gordon.html

Danny Wedderkopp - Taunton Fairwater

Danny is the county councillor for the Taunton Fairwater division. He is particularly interested in helping young people and is a member of the Corporate Parents' Group and Bishop Fox's Educational Foundation. He is also on the Shadow Cabinet Environment team. Biography: Danny lives in Fairwater, works locally and has a daughter at North Town School. A Somerset resident for 25 years, Danny represents Fairwater on Taunton Deane Borough Council and can now use his experience and commitment at County level.
43 Portland Street, Taunton, TA1 4HN
01823 286 070
dwedderkopp@somerset.gov.uk

Dave Greene

Dave Greene is the county councillor for Yeovil South. He is one of three shadow cabinet members for Resources, HR and Strategy & Communications (combined), bringing to this a wealth of experience from his previous role as the Portfolio Holder. Dave also sits on the Audit Committee. DAVE'S BIOGRAPHY: Dave Greene is a truly local man who, throughout his working life, has been employed in jobs which have been of service to the community. Dave, now retired, has for the past eight years, been working hard for the residents of Yeovil South as your County Councillor. In this role, in addition to helping people with their day-to-day problems and supporting local projects, Dave has responsibility for Operational Resources within the County Council. He has been instrumental in the establishing of Southwest One, a greatly acclaimed joint venture involving the County Council, Taunton Deane, the Police and IBM. This new way of working is already producing many benefits to the people of Somerset, not least of which is procurement savings amounting to over three million pounds so far; which has meant that the County Council has been able to set its Council Tax at its lowest level ever. Dave would welcome the opportunity to serve the residents of Yeovil South for a further four years.
75 Magna Close, Yeovil, BA21 5RS
01935 414 243
dagreene@somerset.gov.uk

Gloria Cawood

Gloria Cawood is the county councillor for Mendip Central & East. She is the shadow cabinet member for Children & Young People and brings a wealth of experience from her role as Portfolio Holder for Education. For more information, visit Gloria's home page below.
The Gardner's Cottage, East Cranmore, Shepton Mallet, BA4 4SG
01749 880 404
01749 880 623
gmcawood@somerset.gov.uk
http://www.somersetlibdems.org.uk/pages/Gloria-Cawood.html

Hazel Prior-Sankey

Hazel Prior-Sankey is the county councillor for Taunton South. With her wealth of experience in different cabinet roles, she will be helping and advising our new members. If you'd like to know more about Hazel's work in her division, see her web page below.
Poppies, Bacon Drive, Taunton, TA1 2LH
01823 2534 633
hrprior-sankey@somerset.gov.uk
http://www.somersetlibdems.org.uk/pages/hazel-prior-sankey.html

Jenny Kenton - Chard North

Jenny is the county councillor for Chard North and a member of the Shadow Cabinet team for Children & Young People. She is a member of the Corporate Parents' Group on the council. Jenny's Biography: Jenny Kenton has lived all her life in Chard. She lives with her husband locally and has two grown-up children. Jenny has been very much involved in community life for many years now, raising thousands of pounds for local charities. For the past two years, Jenny has also been a Councillor in Chard. She was instrumental in setting up the "One Stop Shop" in Chard, to give people the chance to seek advice from local Councillors along with the Police. More recently, Jenny has been campaigning to improve the road surface of Glynswood, after talking to many local residents who were unhappy. Jenny retired recently from being a popular Landlady and local business woman, and would very much like to commit herself fully to the local community.
23 Monmouth Court, Chard, Somerset TA20 1HQ
07591 087 347
jkenton@somerset.gov.uk

Jill Shortland

Jill Shortland is the county councillor for Chard South and is the Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group. She was elected Leader of Somerset County Council in May 2007 but sadly had to stand down after the county elections in 2009. However, she gained a wealth of experience in that role which she now uses to good effect in opposition, particularly as the Liberal Democrats' lead member on the Scrutiny Committee. To read more about Jill, go to her web page below. JILL'S BIOGRAPHY: Jill has been a County Councillor for 16 years. Jill was the County Councillor for the whole of Chard for the first 8 years and still brings that knowledge and experience for the whole of Chard into her work today. Now representing Tatworth and Forton as well as Chard, Jill has developed an in-depth knowledge of all of the Communities within the Division. In Tatworth and Forton, Jill has supported many village events, such as the Annual Horticultural Society Village Show and numerous enjoyable Tatworth Primary School performances. Jill has also campaigned to ensure that children and parents can walk to school safely on pavements. One local in Tatworth said: "Without Jill's knowledge, experience and support this would never have happened." Amongst Jill's successes in Chard are many more dropped kerbs to improve access such as at the top of Halcombe and supporting the Healthy Schools Campaign with seeds and growing space for Manor Court school. In addition, Jill has helped to get roads resurfaced, safety works done, kitchen works for schools to ensure hot meals can once again be offered in schools. Jill lives in the division with her husband, her two sons and her Mum.
East Hill, Crewkerne Road, Chard, TA20 1HA
01460 67 357
jcshortland@somerset.gov.uk
http://somersetlibdems.org.uk/pages/jill-shortland.html

John Bailey - Martock

John is the county councillor for Martock division and is also the shadow cabinet member for Environment. John's Biography: John has lived in Norton Sub Hamdon since 1985 and been involved in the local community as a PTA member at Norton Primary School, and as a governor at Stanchester and Yeovil College - all of which were attended by his three daughters. John has enjoyed being involved in village life, developing Health Walks, Norton Movie Nites and 'Norton Remembered' -a CD of the recollections of local people. John recently organised a successful public meeting to give local people the opportunity to ask local politicians questions about the economy and to seek advice from local organisations. John believes it is important to 'Make a Difference' in all you do, and his aim is to fully represent the views and the issues which are important to local people. John has run his own business for over 20 years and his hobbies include league skittling, walking, gardening and cycling.
Manor Farmhouse, Norton Sub Hamdon, Somerset, TA14 6SG
01935 881 227
jabailey@somerset.gov.uk

John Dyke

John Dyke is the county councillor for Crewkerne. He is Chairman of the Exmoor National Park Authority and represents the council on the Devon and Somerset Fire Authority. John also represents the council at meetings of the Confederation of Maritime and Peripheral Regions. To find out more about John, go to his home page below.
Appletrees, Unity Lane, Misterton, Crewkerne, TA18 8NA
01460 77 233
jdyke@somerset.gov.uk
http://www.somersetlibdems.org.uk/pages/John-Dyke.html

Kim Turner - Ilminster

Kim is the county councillor for Ilminster. She represents the county council on the Devon & Somerset Combined Fire Authority. Kim's Biography: Kim has lived in and around Ilminster for all of her life and is married with one son who attends Yeovil College. She is a Town and District Councillor. Kim has been concentrating on solving local problems and addressing the local issues, sometimes over the last two years, through her role as Chairman of Area West Committee and Portfolio holder for Market Towns. She has successfully worked with groups to achieve radio link, a CCTV camera, a multi-use games area and a drop in centre for young people. Kim is also involved with the Youth Club, Ilminster Forum, Local Action Group and Wadham School as a governor. Kim says: "I have worked hard on your behalf for the last few years. If elected I will work with our schools to provide the best for our children and promote Ilminster as a business centre, thereby creating employment opportunities. I will also work to establish a sport centre in the town, providing facilities for people of all ages and with the villages to make sure that they are sustainable."
19 Orchard Vale, Ilminster, Somerset, TA19 0EU
01460 55 523
ktturner@somerset.gov.uk

Maggy Daniell - Frome Selwood

Maggy is the county councillor for Frome Selwood and shares the Shadow Opposition role for both the 'Community' and 'Community Safety' portfolios. She is a member of the Regulation Committee and sits on both the Corporate Parents' Group and the Mineral and Waste Task Group. Maggy is an active campaigner for environmental issues and road safety. She recently inputted into the national Big Care Debate, and seconded the Lib Dem motion for SCC to adopt 10:10. Maggy is currently working with the local schools to put in school-time flashing lights on busy approach roads; and is a Governor at Critchill School. Maggy's Biography: Maggy's working life was mostly in nursing. That included several years in African war zones, and was most recently at the RUH and local nursing homes. In 2001, her husband retired from organic dairy farming and they opened a specialist retail business in Frome. Her daughter went to Frome College and still lives locally. Maggy became a town councillor in 2005 and from the start took an active role in council affairs whilst staying firmly rooted in the community. She was a founder member of Vision for Frome and Mayor of Frome from 2007-8. She says: ''I think my family and work experience of our market town and the surrounding rural area is a good background for a representative of Frome Selwood, with its wide variety of people and interests."
70 Oakfield Road, Frome, Somerset, BA11 4JH
07854 818 286
mdaniell@somerset.gov.uk
http://www.maggydaniell.mycouncillor.org.uk

Peter Gubbins

Peter Gubbins is the county councillor for Yeovil North & Central and also part of the Shadow Environment team.
1 Holywell Hollow, Halves Lane, East Coker, BA22 9NG
01935 862 062
pgubbins@somerset.gov.uk

Ross Henley

Ross Henley is the county councillor for Blackdown & Wellington East and also leads the Liberal Democrat group on Taunton Deane Borough Council. He is also a member of the County Consultative Conference and the Blackdown Hills Joint Advisory Committee.
20 Trinity Close, Wellington, TA21 8TZ
01823 665 988
rlhenley@somerset.gov.uk

Sam Crabb

Sam Crabb is the county councillor for Ilchester. He is deputy leader of the Lib Dem group and one of three Shadow Cabinet members for Physical Resources, HR and Strategy & Communications (combined). Sam is also on the Scrutiny Committee and the lead member for the Liberal Democrats on the Audit Committee. Learn more about Sam on his web page. SAM'S BIOGRAPHY: "I am proud to be the County Councillor for Ilchester Division, which is one of the largest Divisions in terms of voters in the County. I am passionate about our area and am keen to make sure that every Council Tax Payer gets value for money from your Council Tax. I am currently a member of the County Council Executive with responsibility for Strategic Resources & Finance. My family has been involved in farming in Somerset for many generations and I live on the family beef farm near Yeovil. My hobbies include genealogy and military history. I have extensive business interests in France - being the Director of a Ski Holiday tour operation and I am also the Finance Director of a property group based in Edinburgh. I am a busy person - but always work hard. Very aware of environmental issues, I serve on the County Carbon Management Board and am an enthusiastic supporter of recycling in Somerset. I am also Chair of Marston Magna Parish Council and am a former advisor with the Citizens Advice Bureau in Yeovil."
Wickham Farm, Marston Magna, Yeovil, BA22 8DT
01935 851 155
sdcrabb@somerset.gov.uk
http://www.somersetlibdems.org.uk/pages/Sam-Crabb.html

Stephen Gill

Steve is the County Councillor for Bridgwater South and is part of the Shadow Community (& Community Safety) team. He sits on the County Council's Regulation Committee.
50 St Matthews Green, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA6 3RP
01278 446 488
01278 446 488
SJGill@somerset.gov.uk

Steve Brooks

Steve Brooks is the county councillor for Taunton East. He is on the Officer Appeals Committee and uses his wealth of experience to substitute for any Lib Dem absences on the Regulation Committee. Steve is also one of three Shadow Cabinet members for HR, Resources and Strategy & Communications (combined).
13 York Road, Halcon, Taunton, TA1 2BE
01823 323 068
SaBrooks@somerset.gov.uk

Tim Carroll - Yeovil West

Tim Carroll is the county councillor for Yeovil West. Tim is a member of both the Audit Committee and the Shadow Team for HR, Resources and Strategy & Communications (combined). Tim's Biography: Tim is the current Leader of the Council for South Somerset District Council. First elected as a District Councillor in 1995, he has held a number of key roles within the authority and a first term as Leader of SSDC (2000 - 2004) as well as being the Portfolio Holder for Economy, Planning and Transport. Tim also served on Somerset County Council from 1993 to 2005. He went on to become Chairman of the Personnel Committee (1993-97), Chairman of the Environment Committee and successor committees (1997- 2001) and Portfolio Holder for Transport, Waste, Planning and the Environment (2001 - 2005). He continues to serves on numerous joint and regional committees including membership of the South West Regional Assembly since its inception and is currently vice-Chairman of the SWRA successor organisation, the SW Strategic Leaders Forum. He was formerly a director of Somerset Business Link and a member of the Environment Agency Flood Defence Committee. Within Somerset, he is a member of the District LSP, the County LSP (Somerset Strategic Partnership) as well as being the Somerset Districts' representative on the SSP Executive. Within the Third Sector, Tim is active as the current Chairman and Director of a Healthy Living Centre and a Community Transport organisation as well as serving on other local Charities and Trusts. In his life before Local Government, Tim was involved in project management in the Cable and Communications sector through out the UK. His Beacon involvement has extended to a visit to Bosnia in September with two other English Local Authorities to help kickstart a similar initiative amongst Bosnian municipalities. His IDeA experience includes the Rural Excellence program, mentoring and service and corporate reviews as well as undertaking all elements of the Audit Commission DCPA Inspection process.
Orchard Cottage, Barrow Lane, Charlton Musgrove, BA9 8HN
01963 33 000
tcarroll@somerset.gov.uk

Tony Lock - Yeovil East

Tony is the county councillor for Yeovil East and is also a member of the Shadow Community (+ Community Safety) team. He sits on the County Council's Regulation Committee. Tony's Biography - a local man with two children and three grandchildren, has lived in the Yeovil area all his life. He has worked for AugustaWestland for 30 years and has recently retired. Tony is keen to continue to promote local industry and business. Tony has represented the East Ward of Yeovil since 1998 as a Town Councillor, and a District Councillor since 2001. He has been instrumental in getting many schemes up and running - including the Doorstep Green Project on waste ground at Sunningdale. Tony was also very instrumental in getting PCSOs for the east of Yeovil and is also very supportive of the Yeovil Vision, to name but a few. Tony has chaired many committees at District and Town Council level, and was Mayor of Yeovil from 2006 - 2008. Tony has always been available for the people he represents and will continue to be so for them in the future.
71 St. Michael's Road, Yeovil, BA21 5AH
01935 700 061
tlock@somerset.gov.uk