Stuart Barker (Cons) 1,489

John Nutley (Lib Dem) 1,466

Ronald Fox (Ind) 666

Helen McGechie (Lab) 342

Bruce Meechan (UKIP) 113

SITTING Tory Stuart Barker managed to hang onto his Ashburton and Buckfastleigh seat but was given a run for his money by Ashburton town and district councillor Lib Dem John Nutley. The final result meant there were just 23 votes between the two. Cllr Barker, who was responsible for adult social care in the last county administration, said it had been a long, hard fight. He said: ‘John Nutley and I have fought a fair fight but I thank all the voters in Ashburton and Buckfastleigh who took the time to vote. ‘We would like to see more people vote as there are important issues the county council has to deal with. ‘Adult social care is in a serious position. ‘Funding to Devon County Council is reducing all the time and we have had to make difficult decisions. ‘We will have to continue to make difficult decisions as money is not coming to the authority.’