Tories claim overall control of council after Labour vote crumbles

Gary Morgan

02 May 2008

REDDITCH turned blue on Friday as the Conservative party took the four seats needed to gain control of the council - for the first time since 1982.
They took six of the nine seats up for grabs, with Labour holding two and the Liberal Democrats one.
The Tories gained seats in Batchley, Greenlands, Matchborough and Central wards following Thursday's local election, and even came within a whisker of ousting Labour councillors in Lodge Park and Church Hill.
The Conservatives now have 15 councillors in the chamber, with Labour having 10, the Liberal Democrats three and the British National Party one - enough to give the Tories the overall control they wanted.
Leader of the town's Conservatives, and new leader of the council, Carole Gandy, said outside the chamber the result was a mandate for positive change in Redditch.
"It has just begun to sink in. I could never have predicted this when I became a councillor," she told The Standard.
"We will now listen to what people say and try to bring about positive change, not just change for change's sake.
"We want to attract new companies and businesses into town which will affect the whole community."
In Batchley, the Tories' Jinny Pearce polled 968 votes, edging Labour candidate Diane Haywood into second with 709, and Christopher Hennessey of the Liberal Democrats third, with 205 votes.
Anita Clayton was elected to the Matchborough seat available after Labour's Iris Beech stood down to move away from the town.
She will join Conservative colleague Juliet Brunner after getting 852 votes, beating Labour's Gareth Young who polled 356, the Liberal Democrats' Fiona Hennessey, 141, and Independent Rod Mansell, 108.
William Norton is the new Greenlands councillor after receiving 702 votes, 76 more than Labour's outgoing Pattie Hill.
And the changing of the guard was confirmed when Arjamand Farooqui claimed the Central seat from Greg Chance.
He took 744 votes compared to the Labour candidate's 571.
Labour's Mark Shurmer, the relieved Lodge Park candidate, said the party had taken a hit due to Labour voters' decision to stay at home on polling day.
"We are very disappointed with the result, but it wasn't a complete surprise," he added.
"We will now be a responsible opposition and have two years to win back support."
Liberal Democrat leader Malcolm Hall, who fought off the Tories' John Russell to retain his Winyates seat, said despite the party not making any gains elsewhere else, he was pleased to have the support of his ward once more.
He said: "We never really expected to win extra seats.
"But I am very pleased with the result. We didn't know who the opposition was in Winyates so we were a bit unsure how it was going to go.
"Overall I am really surprised at the huge swing to the Conservative party."
Just over 33 per cent of voters in all but three of the wards in the town turned out on election day.

Tories claim overall control of council after Labour vote crumbles»

Free meal drive as hundreds miss out»

Bras on show»

Is this censorship by our libraries?»

Redditch is definitely not a hell-hole»

Redditch should be proud of its people and environment»

I feel sorry for Mark Hill’s next neighbours»

Church Road site subject to more planning delays»

Blackadder's Tony to visit furry friends»

There's comedy in cricket»

Tribute to James - he was "the most beautiful of Mother Earth’s creations"»

Alex wins cleanliness award»

Reds are already looking ahead»

Departing Cunnington sets double trophy target»

Boss aims to leave on a high»

Eagles fly ahead»

Redditch & South Warwickshire Combination results round-up»

Studley finish a whisker in front»

Bees boss has much to build on»

Arrows strengthened in their aim for top»