Tory ousted by independent (From Echo)

Tory ousted by independent

11:08am Friday 4th May 2007 in News By Geoff Percival

FINAL results for Rochford District Council have seen the Tories lose two seats.

However, they still maintain a massive majority on the council.

Early results produced only one shock with former council chairman Richard Amner being defeated by Independent Robin Allen in Barling and Sutton.

The result had been widely predicted as Mr Allen, who previously retired from the council due to ill health, is well known throughout the area.

The other surprise was in Sweyne Park ward where Liberal Democrat Jackie Dillnutt beat the sitting Tory Peter Savill by 30 votes.

This means the Lib Dems have increased their hold on traditional power bases in West Rayeligh where they hold five of the six council seats in an area where there has been major development.

Otherwise it was the mixture as before with the Conservatives retaining Ashingdon and Canewdon and Hawkwell West and the Liberal Democrats their strongholds of Downhall and Rawreth and Grange.