Cotswold victory for Conservative Party (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Cotswold victory for Conservative Party

THE Conservatives stormed to victory in last Thursday's local government elections, becoming the first political group in Cotswold District Council's history to seize overall control of the authority.

Labour meanwhile suffered the humiliation of being left without anyone on the 44-seat council.

The Tories gained six seats, increasing their share from 18 to 24. The Independent and the Lib Dem groups now have only 20 seats between them, giving the Tories control.

The number of Independents fell from 15 to 12 while the Lib Dems lost three seats but gained three to retain eight places.

Only 39 percent of the district's electorate voted, with the highest turnout - 49.25 percent - in the Hampton ward and the lowest - 28.01 percent - in Cirencester Beeches.

Tory leader, Julie Girling, said: "We're obviously very delighted we've managed to take control of the district council for the first time in its history.

"It's the first time one group has had control.

"What we'll be looking at is making sure we keep the council tax down.

"We feel the council tax has soared to an unreasonable level in the Cotswolds and certainly, at the election, the voters made it clear they don't want to pay higher taxes.

"But we've made pledges not to cut taxes at all and we'll be standing by that."

Independent group leader, Sally Lindner, lost her Chipping Campden Vale seat.

Fellow Independent councillor, John Burgess, said: "The result of the election was what we expected.

"We knew Sally was up against it in her ward because they bought the full weight of the Tory machine to bear.

"We're not going to be setting ourselves up in official opposition.

"If the Conservatives come up with something we don't agree with then we'll oppose it.

"If they come up with something we like, then they'll have our full support."

Deryck Nash, Lib Dem leader, said: "I'm not sure anybody in the Cotswolds thought we were going to make great gains.

"I look forward to seeing how the Conservatives manage without severely cutting taxes to keep to their election manifesto."

John Dearnley, the only Labour councillor since 1995, lost his Tetbury seat but remains a Tetbury parish councillor.

He said: "You can be sure Labour will be back.

"The Conservatives are firmly wedded to cuts in public expenditure. "These will have a dire effect on services in the Cotswolds."