WESTBURY has backed ‘experience’ in the Wiltshire Council elections, re-electing three of its four councillors.
Of the four Wiltshire Council seats in Westbury up for grabs, Liberal Democrats Carole King and Gordon King, both retained their seats, whilst the Conservative Party’s Suzanne Wickham was also re-elected. New to the line-up is Independent, Matthew Dean, who won his seat in the Westbury West division with a convincing majority.
All four councillors have spoken about their commitment to fight for Westbury’s voice to be heard at County Hall and have said they will oppose the proposed Westbury incinerator – which is due for a decision at Wiltshire Council in the near future.
Overall, the Conservatives have retained control of Wiltshire Council, with 61 seats (down one); the Liberal Democrats have 27 seats (up six); Independent councillors hold 7 seats (down 4); and Labour has 3 seats (no change).
There were no elections for Westbury Town Council as there were not have enough candidates to fill its 15 seats – only 12 people put themselves forward.
The town council will now be looking to co-opt three vacancies – one in the Westbury West Ward and two in the Westbury North Ward.
The successful Wiltshire Council candidates spoke to White Horse News after their successes.
Cllr Carole King said, “I wish to thank the residents of Westbury North for re-electing me as their Wiltshire Councillor. With your input, I aim to improve our town and I thank you for your suggestions and ideas when I met you on the doorstep. You have clearly missed contact and conversation!
“Ongoing projects such as the shared space scheme for Frogmore Lane and decisions about the incinerator and bypass will continue.
“The Town Vision and Neighbourhood Plan will prove beneficial for us all, so I urge you to read and comment on these proposals.”
Cllr Gordon King said, “I am delighted to have been re-elected as the Wiltshire Councillor for the Westbury East ward and so grateful for the trust and support so many have shown in me.
“The work begins now; the agenda is full – stopping the incinerator, securing a sensible bypass, delivering the Westbury Town Vision, the Bitham Brook Project, and my initiative to connect and train elderly residents to the internet, tackling loneliness and isolation.
“I have always been and promise to continue to be a councillor for everyone and look forward to meeting and talking to you whenever I am out and about.”
Cllr Matthew Dean said, “Thank-you to everyone who supported me at the election. I’m desperately worried that if the Northacre incinerator goes ahead, the congestion, pollution and loss of employment at other nearby sites will hugely damage Westbury and I commit to do everything I can to stop it as a matter of urgency.
“The Mane Way linkroad needs to be built after years of delay. I shall pressurise Network Rail to reopen the Oldfield crossing and Cinder Footpath. Long term I shall continue to press Wiltshire Council for a Westbury bypass, with the lorry ban in Bath further adding to Westbury’s traffic.
Cllr Suzanne Wickham said, “I am thrilled and honoured to be re-elected as Wiltshire Councillor for Ethandune and would like to thank residents for their confidence and support, allowing me the opportunity to serve them for a further four years.
“I am passionate that residents have a right for their voices to be heard and I will do my utmost to represent their views. I am really looking forward to working with our new parish councils who I know have some exciting ideas to ensure our rural villages remain very special places, and to work with fellow councillors on Westbury Area Board.”
Wiltshire Council election results were as follows:
Ethandune division: Bob Brice (Liberal Democrats) – 206; Val Jarvis (Green Party) – 334; Suzanne Wickham (Conservative) (elected) – 1,077.
Westbury East division: Michael Amos (Labour) – 108; John Foster (Conservative) – 402; Gordon King (Liberal Democrats) (elected) – 863.
Westbury North division: Aaron Donovan (Conservative) – 309; Carole King (Liberal Democrats) (elected) – 653; Michael Taylor (Green Party) – 97; Andy Wright (The For Britain Movement) – 33.
Westbury West division: Daniel Butler (Conservative) – 266; David Cavill (Liberal Democrats) – 111; Matthew Dean (Independent) (elected) – 576; Jane Russ (Labour) – 154.
