Four candidates will be vying for a seat on East Devon District council in a by-election scheduled for next month.
The Exmouth Halsdon seat on East Devon District Council became vacant after the death of Liberal Democrat incumbent Andrew Toye at the end of August following an illness.
Mr Toye had lived in Exmouth for 40 years, and besides the district council also held a seat on the town council.
He last secured the district council seat in the 2023 local elections, with 964 votes, making him one of the three members voted for that ward.
The four candidates competing in the scheduled 4 December by-election for the district council seat are Paula J Burtoft (Conservative and Unionist Party), Fran McElhone (Liberal Democrat), Tony Quinn (Reform UK) and Tony Woodward (Green Party).
Colleagues of Andrew Toye said what a “huge hole” his loss would leave in local politics, and that his “deep knowledge” and passion for a range of issues would be sadly missed.
Cllr Toye came from a “strong Liberal Democrat family”, according to the Exmouth and East Devon Liberal Democrats.
His father, Brian, was also previously a councillor in the Brixington ward – a seat Andrew held until 2007 – and Halsdon wards of Exmouth.
The outcome of the election will not have a big effect on the political balance of the council, because the ruling Democratic Alliance made up of Liberal Democrat, Green and independent members, has a clear majority.
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