Tories retain control
Conservatives kept control of South Kesteven District Council during last week's local government elections and secured five of the six seats in Bourne.
The group gained one extra seat on the council overall, taking its tally to 35 of the 58 seats on the council. But it was also a good day for independents, who gained five extra seats and now hold 15 overall.
Conservative councillor Judy Smith proved to be Bourne's most popular councillor when the votes were counted at Grantham on Friday. She topped the polls in the town and district elections with more than 1,000 votes.
She said: "I am delighted and I thank the electorate for the trust and confidence bestowed upon me.
"I sincerely wish to carry out my duties on behalf of the east ward, and indeed the whole town, to the very best of my ability. I am always ready to listen and help anyone at anytime."
Two new councillors took the remaining seats in the east ward.
Conservatives Bob Russell and David Higgs both notched up 744 votes.
Independent Guy Cudmore came close to securing a seat with 696 votes, followed by Labour's Jean Joyce with 600.
Trevor Holmes polled the highest number of votes in the Bourne West ward with 940. He becomes the town's only independent district councillor.
Mr Holmes said: "I am thrilled and humbled by this opportunity to do my very best for Bourne and the people who live in the town."
Second placed John Smith (Con) polled 762, with SKDC's current leader Linda Neal (Con) taking the third seat with 754 votes. The town's outgoing mayor Brian Fines narrowly lost his seat, polling 26 fewer votes than Coun Neal (see below).
Coun Neal, who must wait for the full council meeting on Thursday May 17 to find out if she will be re-elected as leader, said: "The fact that we have retained control of the council shows that the voters have confidence in the Conservative administration.
"One message we received loud and clear while canvassing on the doorsteps was that people are in favour of sensitive town centre regeneration (in Bourne) and feel it is important to get on with it."
And she was positive about the new era that now awaits the council.
She said: "I hope the new councillors find that the meetings and experience of being on the council prove rewarding for them and for the community they serve.
"All of the councillors who have left us were a pleasure to work with and I trust they feel that South Kesteven is in a better position with their input."
Two of the three seats in Market and West Deeping went to independent candidates Reg Howard and Bob Broughton, with the third taken by Michael Exton (Con).
Coun Howard said: "I'm very pleased with the result, particularly that we have another Independent councillor in Bob Broughton.
"I encouraged Bob to stand and I'm delighted we have both been voted in."
Deeping St James is largely in Conservative hands with Ray Auger topping the vote and Bryan Helyar in third place.
The second seat went to Ken Joynson (Lib Dem).
In total 34.55 per cent of people eligible to vote turned out this time – a five per cent increase on the district elections four years ago.
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Weather for Bourne
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 12 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 22 mph
Wind direction: East
