Westover ward has been in existence for only 8 years. Set up in 2011 as part of the local government boundary changes it combined the town centre with parts of Victoria, Hamp and Quantock wards. So everything from Taunton road, West Street, most of the canal to the docks and everything in between is Westover. The name itself was the original description of the west bank settlement of the river when Bridgwater was created. It also had a secondary modern school named after it, set between Wembdon road and West Street and in 1974 merged with the Boys and Girls Grammar schools as Haygrove.

On May 2nd there will be elections for Town and District Council and Westover voters will be getting 2 ballot papers – White for District and Green for Town. Those of you with postal votes will be able to vote as early as 15th April when these arrive through your door.

Westover has been represented on District council by Kathy Pearce and Brian Smedley, both Labour councillors throughout it’s existence. Today they are Leader and Deputy Leader of Bridgwater Town Council and Chairs of the Community and Corporate Scrutiny committees on Sedgemoor District Council.

2019 Candidates

On May 2nd 2019 Kathy and Brian will be standing once again for Westover, where they both live, on Sedgemoor District Council.

Brian says “Here on Bridgwater Town Council we told people what we would do in 2015 if we kept control and we delivered those promises. I’m pleased to say all 18 of them. And we’ve done the same on Sedgemoor where we have managed to influence the ruling group on occasion, work with them where necessary  and stand up and object where it was right to. But you can find what we said we’d do and what we did here and see what we plan for the future here.”

Introducing Li Gibson

For Bridgwater Town Council there are 3 seats for Westover. This year Cllr Pat Morley will be retiring but standing alongside Kathy and Brian as a Labour candidate will be Li Gibson, who also lives in the Westover ward on Old Taunton Road.

Li lives, studies and works in Bridgwater.

Throughout her life she has mainly worked in nursing and care. This has been especially focused on mental health within the areas of young people, people living in temporary accommodation, including homelessness, drug and alcohol misuse and addiction support, and care of older people.

Li’s main concerns are the environment, transport, housing and people receiving good care and support within the community. Li wants to support smaller businesses in the town as she feels this would help rejuvenate the area and create local employment.

Given the opportunity, Li would work hard for the people of the town and help to establish a better environment for all. She wants to see Bridgwater bloom!

Please vote Labour on all your ballot papers on May 2nd for both Sedgemoor District and Bridgwater Town Councils to ensure Westover’s voice continues to be heard at the heart of local government. A Labour vote in Bridgwater will ensure that our town’s voice is strong and united, that we can continue to deliver the good work we have done on our Town Council and that we can continue to hold the Tories to account on Sedgemoor.

Round and about Westover in 2019