The battle for Taunton Deane

Taunton Deane Borough Council has all the seats up for re-election on Thursday. It currently has a minority Conservative administration - there are 26 Conservative councillors, 25 Lib Dems, one Labour and four others. This is a council which the Conservatives lost overall control of last time round in 2007.

The Lib Dems had a minority administration until last year (during their period of power they sharply increased spending on publicity) but the balance changed after a Lib Dem councillor became an independent.

Under the Conservatives the Council has pledged to maintain the Council Tax freeze next year as well as this. However there have been some increases in fees and charges.