THE Conservative Party has secured more than half of the available seats for Redditch in the Worcestershire County Council elections.
The Tories gained four new seats and held on to one – leaving five out of the eight available seats now occupied by them – both Labour and UKIP each lost two.
The overall turnout of voters in Redditch was up from the 2013 election which saw 28.99 per cent of people vote, while this year 32.16 per cent registered their support.
In Redditch North, with a turn out of 32.86 per cent (4,740 voters) Labour held one seat with Robin Lunn (1,994 votes) and the Conservatives gain one seat with Brandon Clayton (1,921 votes)
Labour’s Graham Vickery lost his seat, falling just short with 1,841 votes.
In Redditch South, with a turn out of 34.58 per cent (5,363 voters) the Conservatives held one seat and gained another with Roger Bennett (2,998 votes) and Jane Potter (2,519 votes) emerging victorious.
UKIP lost their previous majority of 58.
For Arrow Valley West, with a turn out of 30.74 per cent, that’s 4,416 voters, Labour held both seats with Andy Fry (1,943 votes) and Pattie Hill (1,797 votes) both being returned.
And finally with a turn out of 32.47 percent and 5280 voters, the Conservatives gained both seats in Arrow Valley East with Julliet Brunner winning 2000 votes and Tom Baker-Price winning 1957 votes.
Both Labour and UKIP lost their majorities in Arrow Valley East.
Standing alongside fellow Conservative Councillor Julliet Brunner, the newly elected Tom Baker-Price was visibly delighted with his win.
He said: “I am elated. I think this win is really something that reflects national trends. Julliet and I are committed to working as a team and I think together we can achieve more.
“We have a great personal relationships as well as a professional one and I think this makes us stronger.
“It’s been hard work but the people have chosen us because they believe in what we stand for.”
Joe Baker, who lost his Labour seat by just 44 votes, said he was disappointed with the result: “I am very disappointed, however we live in a democracy and the voters chose Julliet and Tom and I wish them all the best.
“I have really enjoyed having this position for the last four years and I hope they enjoying the next four years too.
He added: “But you haven’t seen the last of me just yet. I will be back.”
