Elections for the new Somerset Council take place on May 5.

Here's who is standing in the Wells Division

Theo Butt Philip - Liberal Democrat

"Wells is my home, I grew up here, went to school here and now my wife and I are raising our children here. I've lived in our city for over 30 years.

I live on Churchill Road, Wells with my family. I grew up in Wells and went to Stoberry School and the Blue School. I was a member of Wells City Council for eight years and served as Mayor of Wells. In 2015, I took a break to focus on my career in campaigns, communications and local government and to start a family.

I volunteer at the parent, carer and child group run by St Thomas' Church and enjoy spending time outside in our beautiful city. I can frequently be found walking or cycling around Wells and the surrounding countryside with my children. I also love taking them to visit the library and our market."

David Grace – Green Party

"I have lived in Wells for 12 years with my partner and three school-aged children who attend St.Cuthbert's Juniors and The Blue School.A former secondary school teacher in London, I now work as a freelance horticultural consultant following a successful career in the interior landscaping industry.

The biggest issue we all have to face is global warming and the resulting change to our climate...it is really starting to have a negative impact on all our lives. If successful and I am elected to represent Wells division, I will look to help establish an Environment Committee to maintain and increase the Climate Emergency commitments declared by the county and all district councils.

I would fight for better grants for home insulation to reduce energy waste and lower household bills. Increasing solar panels and supporting other renewable energy sources would help generate more income for the council too.

I want to increase the number of public charging points for electric vehicles to encourage a faster uptake in EV use plus an improvement in bus routes and more, safer cycle routes to form a proper integrated transport policy. With three children in Wells schools and as a previous teacher, improving Education funding is also a key priority. Green Councillors make a disproportionate contribution to local government putting the established parties to shame. Just imagine what we could do with even more Green Party councillors! Please consider supporting me and Amanda Phillips to represent you in Wells. Thank you."

Richard Greenwell - Conservative

"Wells is a great place – I moved here over twenty years ago with my wife, a teacher in a local primary school, and fell in love with the place. However, Wells still has its challenges and, too often these do not get the attention they deserve from the local councils.

"I want to be your councillor so that I can make sure that you have a councillor dedicated to serving this city without having to consider how my actions will be considered in Shepton Mallet, Glastonbury, or Burnham-on-Sea. There's not been the push that I would have liked to have to address the city's need for better transport and parking, mobile and broadband, GPs, schools, and to provide the housing Wells needs, not the housing that meets Mendip's quotas. As your councillor I would fight for all this, making sure that you get value for money from every penny of your council tax bill.

"Finally, I should add that as a co-sponsor of the City Council's Climate Emergency motion I am proud to see that the Conservative run County Council has been assessed by Climate Emergency UK as the county's top performing Upper Tier council – there is much more to be done and I want to be at the forefront of doing so. "

Tessa Munt - Liberal Democrats

"I've been Wells' County Councillor for 5 years, which I've really enjoyed. I've learned a lot, but I'm utterly exasperated with the appalling inefficiency, lethargy and waste at Conservative-run County Hall.

I've held surgeries (when the rules allowed), made countless visits, calls and replied to your messages. I've been at almost every City Council meeting over the last 5 years - so I know what's going on – attended over 170 County Council meetings, scores of briefings, asked officers hundreds of questions on your behalf and made dozens of site visits.

We Lib Dems have done well trying to hold the Conservatives to account.

I'm proud of my Wells' roots - my family has lived here for over 50 years. You and I want to see Wells improve every year as a place to live, work and enjoy.

I'm well and truly up for serving you again!"

Harvey Siggs - Conservative

"Harvey Siggs has lived in Wells for more than 40 years, raised his family here and worked for most of that time in Wells, as Youth Leader, Teacher and Adult Education organiser.

He first stood for the Council in 1986 and since that time has had a major influence in obtaining better facilities for the people of Wells, firstly with the Scout Hut and then with both the Wells Leisure Centre and then later with the Sport Facilities at the Blue School. He has also played a major part in the changes at the Town Hall to become an access for all facility.

He has served on the cabinet at Somerset and was Leader of Mendip District Council for 12 years taking it to being known as one of the best governed authorities in the Country. He believes that these elections on May 5 are vital as the new City Council and the new County Council will be the ones who help to shape the new Unitary Council which comes into being next year.

Harvey has a record of working with members of all political parties having served in both Conservative and Liberal Democrat led Councils. His wealth of experience will continue to be used to be a strong voice for Wells in shaping that future."

Also standing in the Wells Division:

Amanda Phillips – Green Party

All candidates have been offered the opportunity to submit a profile for publication. All those submitted have been published.

For more on the elections click HERE