Council ballot revolving doors reveal ins and outs

SHE was one of the city’s most high-profile councillors but Sheriff of Canterbury Sally Pickersgill lost her Northgate seat on Thursday.

The Tory, who also represented the council on the Canterbury in Bloom committee and Sturry Road Community Garden Trust, was ousted by Labour candidate Alan Baldock. He became the first Labour councillor in the city for four years.

Mrs Pickersgill received 18 per cent of the vote, with 460 votes cast, below Cllr Baldock’s 528 and her Tory colleague Darren Ellis, who hung on to his seat after polling 504 votes.

She said: “I was disappointed but Northgate was traditionally a Labour ward.

“It’s been a wonderful four years. I wish Alan all the best and I’m sure he will work well with Darren.”

Cllr Ellis added: “There are a lot of mixed feelings. I’m upset for Sally but it’s all about continuing the work we have been doing for the last four years and targeting projects in the community.”

Cllr Baldock said: “I am absolutely delighted to win Northgate and represent the people of the ward. We will work with a community value to support the ward and do all we can to make it better than ever.”

Fellow Labour candidate Charlotte Matthews was just nine votes away from being elected after polling 495.

Labour candidates failed to register in time for Blean Forest, but the Green Party saw a huge following with 400 votes for Alex Murray and 300 for Zoe Scandrett, a close following to Tory council leader John Gilbey’s vote of 568 and Hazel McCabe at 626.

They were thrilled to be runners up. Miss Scandrett said: “It’s really great, we weren’t expecting so much support and to see so many votes is excellent.”

Cllr Gilbey said: “I am very relieved. It was a big fight and we worked our socks off. Hazel and I do so much work for the student community.”

Their support was replicated across the city, with successes in North Nailbourne for new councillor Simon Cook, who took almost half the vote with 569 out of 1,158 votes.

Conservative councillor Georgina Glover was in tears of joy when it was revealed she had won the seat at Marshside with a 42.81 per cent turnout.

She said: “I am absolutely thrilled. I’m just so pleased because I worked so hard and care so much and I want to make it the best ward there is.”

Conservatives Heather Taylor and Tony Austin will continue to represent Sturry.

He said: “I was very pleased of course. I think there was a trend towards Labour but we got in with all the hard work we have put in over the last four years.”

St Stephens ward got a large 50 per cent turnout with Conservative councillor Harry Cragg, Robert Waters and Terry Westgate receiving the majority vote.

Cllr Cragg, a former Lord Mayor, said: “It was a great result and I’m delighted to continue representing St Stephens with my two colleagues.”

Former councillor Bill Oakey is returning to the council chamber in Barham Downs, with new Tories Jeremy Bellamy and Steven Williams taking up seats representing Barton.

Rosemary Doyle and Robert Thomas, both from the Conservative party were elected to represent Chartham and Stone Street.