THE GREEN Party is hoping to win its first seat on Teignbridge Council.

Dawlish town councillor Scott Williams is to stand for the party in the upcoming by-election in the Kenn Valley ward.

A publisher, community activist and competitive archer, Scott could become the authority’s first Green Party member if elected.

Scott publishes South Devon’s Reconnect magazine and is a volunteer wildlife warden and carbon cutting co-ordinator for Action on Climate in Teignbridge.

He oversaw the Our Green Futures project, which gave advice and funding to community projects in Teignbridge, and is the co-founder of the annual Turn the Tide festival in Dawlish.

Scott wants to bring that same energy and commitment to the district council and believes people are ready for a new approach.

He said: ‘I want to give people the chance to vote for a different voice.

‘If elected, I would hold the administration in Teignbridge to account.

‘I would speak up for Green policies to tackle the cost-of-living crisis, ensure housing and infrastructure meets local needs while protecting nature, and make public services work for people, not for profit.’

The Green Party nationally is attracting renewed attention after the election of a new leader, Zack Polanski, and announcing record membership numbers.

Like Polanski, Scott is keen to take aim at Reform and their divisive approach to politics.

He said: ‘Greens will always stand up to Reform, who scapegoat others while pushing policies that only benefit the super-rich and the fossil fuel companies that fund them.’

He believes people are tired of the main parties and are looking for a fresh approach that puts local people first.

He said: 'In the county council elections in May, the Green Party went from two to six county councillors in Devon, and we now have a Green in the cabinet.

‘Greens show up and work hard for everyone in our communities and voters have seen that and re-elected us.

‘Now I’m hoping people will vote to make me the first Green district councillor in Teignbridge.’

The Kenn Valley by-election takes place on Thursday 9 October.

Electors in Kenn Valley have until Tuesday 23 September to register and till 24 September to apply for a postal vote.

The full list of candidates will be published in due course.