Few changes in B&NES as seats are mostly held

There were few changes when people went to the polls to vote in the Bath and North East Somerset Council ballot on Thursday.

In Westfield, Labour’s Robin Moss now joins party colleague Rob Appleyard representing the ward after beating competition from Independent, Lib Dem and Conservative candidates. The ward was previously represented by Independent Chris Cray, who did not stand as a district councillor because of ill health.

Mr Moss said: “I want to make sure that B&NES provides high quality services, invests in community organisations, and that in Westfield we get our fair share.”

Elsewhere, Conservative Steve Willcox was knocked off his Clutton seat by Lib Dem Jeremy Sparks.

Twenty-five-year-old Mr Sparks beat Mr Willcox by 57 votes. He said he would use his time as a councillor to fight against the Church Farm development in the village and look at long-term sustainable housing options.

In Midsomer Norton residents living in Redfield ward will now be represented by Conservative Paul Myers. The Chamber of Commerce chairman joins fellow Tory Chris Watt representing the ward. Mr Myers stood for the party after former councillor John Whittock retired.

He said: “It is with a great sense of pride that I thank the residents of Midsomer Norton Redfield for electing me to represent them on B&NES.

“I renew my commitment to work for the whole community in order to achieve Midsomer Norton’s true potential.”

In neighbouring ward Midsomer Norton North, Michael Evans is now representing residents for the Conservative Party alongside fellow Conservative councillor Barry Macrae.

He takes the place of Shirley Steel who also retired after representing the town as a B&NES councillor since 2003.

Mr Evans said: “It is an honour to be elected to fill the shoes of such a well-known and long-serving personality of the town as Shirley Steel.

“We often talk of the potential of Midsomer Norton, with its good schools, its pretty centre, and its traditions of skilled work.

“ It has a surprisingly varied retail offer, wonderful Somerset countryside, and now a network of cycle routes and a spectacular skateboard park.

“A high quality living environment is a key attractor of high quality investment and the jobs we need, and I shall do everything possible to keep improving that environment, and welcoming those jobs.”

In Paulton, Labour’s Liz Hardman replaced David Speirs who did not stand, and she will join John Bull, also Labour, who retained his seat.

Other councillors keeping their seats include Malcolm Hanney (Con, Chew Valley North), Vic Pritchard (Con, Chew Valley South), Sally Davis (Con, Farmborough), Les Kew (Con, High Littleton), Tim Warren (Con, Mendip), Sarah Bevan and Nathan Hartley (both Lib Dem, Peasedown), Peter Edwards (Con, Publow and Whitchurch), Simon Allen (Lib Dem, Radstock), Eleanor Jackson (Labour and Co-operative, Radstock), Douglas Deacon (Ind, Timsbury).