Although there's a lot of focus on the election for councillors for the new Somerset Council, the parish and town council elections are also important.

The people elected to these councils will still be carrying out their usual important functions, and they will also have a vital role working with the new council, pioneering new Local Community Networks with power to influence important decisions. They will also have a range of opportunities – if they want – to take control of local assets and services on a cost-neutral basis, such as parks and community centres. Here is a list of the candidates standing in your neighbourhood: SHEPTON MALLET – EAST WARD

Martin Berkeley: Future Shepton

James Brittain: Future Shepton

Matt Harrison: Future Shepton

Martin Lovell: Liberal Democrats

Tom Makin: Future Shepton

Gavin Mayall: Liberal Democrats

Abi Mcguire: Future Shepton

SHEPTON MALLET – WEST WARD

Dave Crisfield: Future Shepton

Sharon Hale: Future Shepton

Edric Hobbs: Liberal Democrats

Warren Kennedy: Liberal Democrats

Jane Nicklin: Future Shepton

Kai-Thomas Roth: Future Shepton

Becky Stokes-Stephens: Future Shepton

ASHWICK

David Barlow

Philip Brisco

Jessica Elliot

Sarah Emery

David Hine

Albert Thorley

Bryan Wells

BATCOMBE

Mary Comley

Amanda Cox

Peter Glaisher

Bryony Harling

Janet Jones

Clare Kingston

Thomas Price

Ian Sage

BINEGAR

Jon Abbott

John Bridges

Catherine Law

Phillip Roberts

John Scadding

David Stone

CHILCOMPTON

David Aldridge

Alan Bowhay

Philip Holme

Paul Mattick

Richard Morgan

Lesley Newman

Jon Pike

Peter Sinclair

COLEFORD

Matthew Allen

Henry Banks

Mark Barrett

Paul Bell

Adam Drescher

Keith Evans

Philip Ham

Annie Paterson

Christopher Pearce

Alan Townsend

Amy West

CRANMORE

Ann Crowcombe

Diana Reader

Ross Toten

CROSCOMBE

Emma Egan

Sarah Fawcett-Fice

Annette Ford

Ben Gudzelak

Christopher Jackson

Warren Kennedy

Nick Marsh

Michael Rogers

Hilary Shergold

Andy Sully

DITCHEAT

Linda Adams

Christine Clark

Philip Evans

Lynne Hughes

Roger Hutton

Roger James

DOULTING

Jan Crewe

Ann Crowcombe

Sarah Goff

Philip Shepherd

EAST PENNARD

Roger Cock

Martin Dearden

Paul Heal

Adrian Pearse

EVERCREECH

Sarah Breare

Lesley Parham

Robert Reed

Gail Wakeford

Royston Williams

HOLCOMBE

Simon Brand

Simon Eade

Philip Gait

Helen Kerr

KILMERSDON

John Clayton

Angila Cook

Edward Drewe

Nicholas Ham

Donald Hudson

Kenneth Hutton

Sarah Lane

Dide Lucas

Phil Preen

LEIGH-ON-MENDIP

Martin Carter

Neil Crump

Paula Freeland

Estelle Kirby

Dave Mattick

Vicki Taylor

LYDFORD-ON-FOSSE

Norman Purcell

Chris Rood

Lali Seehra

NORTH WOOTTON

Steve Bayley

Kathy Bissett

Simon Shimmin

Martin Smith

PILTON

Lynda-Jane Allen

Nick Hall

Tom Hollings

Joe King

Terry Moulder

Roger Noble

Owain Powell

Kelly Sumner

Richard Woodhouse

STOKE ST MICHAEL

Nick Corbett

Keith Hambly

John Mcentee

Matthew Rice

Amanda Taylor

STON EASTON

Ainslie Davies

Tom Killen

STRATTON-ON-THE-FOSSE

Paul Andrewartha

Malcolm Daniels

Robert Kelly

Helen Murtagh

David Stock

WEST PENNARD

Marion Colman

Percival Creed

Albert Gane

Michael Heal

Guy Willcox