A CONSERVATIVE councillor who has served Dunster and 14 other West Somerset parishes for the past 24 years has stood down because of ill health.

Cllr Christine Lawrence was first elected to Somerset County Council in 2001 and also served on the town council in Minehead, where she lives, and the former West Somerset Council.

She was given a six-month leave of absence on health grounds from the current unitary Somerset Council in 2023.

Now, Cllr Lawrence, who is a trained nurse, has retired completely in a move expected to trigger a by-election in the next few weeks.

Conservatives were quick to select a candidate to stand for the by-election, with born and bred West Somerset resident James Bellemy named on Tuesday (September 9).

Mr Bellemy, who attended the West Somerset College, in Minehead, started his first job at the age of 15 years in Minehead’s Northfield Hotel, sparking a passion for food and hospitality.

He worked in kitchens across West Somerset over the years before realising a long-held ambition by reopening a long-closed fish and chip shop in Minehead.

Mr Bellemy said: “This is my home.

“From school days to running a business in the heart of our community, I have always been proud to live and work here.

“I want to give something back by standing up for local people.

“We need better transport links, lower taxes, and to protect our communities from decisions imposed without local consent.

“I will work tirelessly for the residents of this area.”

Tiverton and Minehead Conservative Association chairman Jean Parbrook said: “We are delighted to put forward such a strong local candidate who understands the challenges and opportunities facing our community.

“I would also like to pay tribute to Cllr Christine Lawrence, who has given more than 20 years of service in local government.

“She has been a dedicated and tireless advocate for local people, and we are grateful for all she has done.”

Mr Bellemy said his campaign would focus on the issues which mattered most to West Somerset residents, including improving connectivity, protecting and enhancing vital bus routes, standing up to Somerset Council’s ‘punishing’ 7.5 per cent council tax rise, and supporting legal efforts to block any attempts to create migrant hotels in the district.

He said he wanted to ensure decisions about the West Somerset community were made locally ‘and in the best interests of residents’.

Somerset Council leader Cllr Bill Revans confirmed Cllr Lawrence’s resignation when the authority’s executive committee met in Taunton on Monday.

Cllr Revans said: “I would like to note the sad resignation of Cllr Christine Lawrence, who has been a great servant to this council and its predecessors over very many years.

“We wish her well in her retirement.”

Cllr Revans said until a replacement was elected, casework inquiries in the Dunster division would be handled by Liberal Democrat Cllr Marcus Kravis, who also represents the area.

A date for the by-election is not expected to be announced until later in the week.