Category: K.T.C Elections

Abbey Ward (6 seats)

Elected

Candidate	Party
*Michael Francis Coker	Conservative Party
*Jack Bastock	Liberal Democrats
Haydn Alan Thomas	Liberal Democrats
Enys Parthenia Thomas	Liberal Democrats
Helen Pavier	Liberal Democrats
Patrick Joseph Ryan	Liberal Democrats

Not Elected

Candidate	Party
*Kenneth Rawnsley	Conservative Party
*John Anthony Cooke	Conservative Party
John Wiles	Conservative Party
Maureen West	Conservative Party
*John Edward Hatfield	Conservative Party
Michael Jonathan Morris	Liberal Democrats
Geoffrey Ernest Cleave	Labour Party
Henry Scarborough	Labour Party
Muriel Johnston	Labour Party
Jill Murdoch	Labour Party
Rosemary May Ellis	Labour Party

St. John’s Ward (6 seats)

Elected

Candidate	Party
*Pauline Winifred Edwards	Conservative Party
*Peggy Grace Cox	Conservative Party
*Robert Ronald Wooller	Conservative Party
*Leslie Graham Windybank	Conservative Party
Felicity Gena Bunker	Conservative Party
Marjorie Helen Weaver	Conservative Party

Not Elected

Candidate	Party
Muriel Bastock	Liberal Democrats
Frences Marilyn Dutson	Liberal Democrats
Grace Lillian Gunter	Liberal Democrats
Barbara Ward	Liberal Democrats
Christopher John Payne	Labour Party
Thomas Swallow	Labour Party
Helen Maria Ruffles	Labour Party
David Peggs	Labour Party
Brenda May Payne	Labour Party
Diana Margaret Basham	Labour Party

Park Hill Ward (4 seats)

Elected

Candidate	Party
*Thomas Anthony Dalton	Conservative Party
*Spencer Charlton Harrison	Conservative Party
Peter John Durrant	Conservative Party
Joanna Mary Illingworth	Conservative Party

Not Elected

Candidate	Party
Eric Lewis Deal	Liberal Democrats
Judith Ann Rawson	Liberal Democrats
Dennis Edmond Royston	Liberal Democrats
Vera Maud Royston	Liberal Democrats
Robert Guy Field	Labour Party
Robin Rain Winn	Labour Party
Anthony Bowen	Labour Party

*denotes retiring members

LIB-DEMS MUSCLE IN

Following the rout of 1987, the Liberal Democrats now have four new seats on the council. But the Tories still have a six seat majority.

The Liberal Democrats who got elected were husband and wife team of Haydn and Enys Thomas, who return to the council, with newcomers Helen Pavier and Pat Ryan. Jack Bastock kept his seat as well as winning back his seat on the District Council, which he lost eight years ago. He said “I’m very pleased. We can certainly have some good open debates now. The people of Kenilworth elected me, so I shall certainly be putting Kenilworth first”.

It was Abbey Ward that did all the damage for the Tories, where three of their high profile members failed to be re-elected. Kenneth Rawnsley, John Cooke and John Hatfield, being the casualties. Rawnsley and Cooke also lost their District Council seats.

Mr Rawnsley has dominated local politics since 1967, when he was first elected to the old KUDC. He was Mayor twice, and has been the leader of the District Council since it was created in 1973. The shocked 67 year-old retired BT sales superintentent, says he is already making plans for the future. “I believe I have great knowledge of local government, which I want to put to use. I hope to continue in public life”. He added; “The district and town were my life, I’ve been around a long time”. He believes there was a protest vote in Abbey ward against government issues such as the poll tax. Kenilworth people might also have been influenced by his decision to abstain from voting in the Eagle Lane planning application.

John Hatfield, after eight years on the council was also a disappointed man, he was due to become the next Mayor. But he said “I shall be back, they haven’t heard the last of me. I still have just as much influence, perhaps more. The council meetings are only a tenth of the work I did for the town, people will still come to me with their problems”. He is angry that national politics influenced voters. “We were the ones fighting against these cuts”. He also believes the long list of 17 names on the ballot paper confused many voters.

John Cooke, although he lost his town seat, is still a county councillor, where he will be taking over the chairmanship of the Social Services Committee in June. Mr Cooke, aged 33, said he would miss the town council where he started his political career back in 1979, but doesn’t take the result personally. He was Mayor in 1986/7.

Park Hill was dominated by the Tories. Tony Dalton and Spencer Harrison were re-elected plus two new faces to the council, Joanna Illingworth and Peter Durrant.

Kenilworth Town Councillors (16 seats)

11 Conservatives (T. Dalton, S. Harrison, P. Durrant, J. Illingworth, P. Cox, P. Edwards, R. Wooller, G. Windybank, F. Bunker, M. Weaver, M. Coker)

5 Liberal Democrats (J. Bastock, H. Thomas, E, Thomas, H. Pavier, P. Ryan)

Mayors

Footnote – As viewers will see, no votes are shown against any of the candidates. This was due to the fact that the local press did not publish a full sets of results. Plus, none are available on the WDC website. If anyone has a full set of results, please contact us. Thank You.

St John’s Ward

Candidate	Party	Votes
Richard Dickinson	Conservative Party	675
Barbara Ward	Liberal Democrats	405
David Hatton	Labour Party	209

TORIES RETAIN SEAT AT ST. JOHN’S

A ‘casual vacancy’ had arisen due to the resignation in September of Marjorie Weaver, who had not attended any meetings since March. She had been elected to the council at the 1991 poll.

Where’s My Polling Card?

Complaints came in from the public regarding polling cards, which they said had not been posted through their letterboxes. But Michael Coker, pointed out that in June 1987, the town council decided not to fund polling cards for ‘casual vacancy’ positions. But not many electors were aware of this. However, it has always been the case that electors do not need a polling card to cast their vote, they just need to turn-up and give their name and address.

Abbey Ward (6 seats)

Candidate	Party	Votes
*Jack Bastock	Liberal Democrats	1838
Haydn Thomas	Liberal Democrats	1483
Enys Thomas	Liberal Democrats	1299
Patrick Ryan	Liberal Democrats	1281
Helen Pavier	Liberal Democrats	1278
Jill Gillman	Liberal Democrats	1188
*Michael Coker	Conservative Party	1155
Daphne Harrison	Conservative Party	966
Terry Quainton	Conservative Party	956
James Finnie	Conservative Party	940
*John Hatfield	Conservative Party	929
Geoffrey Cleave	Labour Party	763
Rosemary Ellis	Labour Party	762
Chris Edgerton	Labour Party	753
Sarah Clarke	Labour Party	715
Chris Payne	Labour Party	634
John Wiles	Labour Party	481

St John’s Ward (6 seats)

Candidate	Party	Votes
*Pauline Edwards	Conservative Party	1741
*Bob Wooller	Conservative Party	1700
*Graham Windybank	Conservative Party	1678
*Peggy Cox	Conservative Party	1664
*Felicity Bunker	Conservative Party	1499
Paul Spillman	Conservative Party	1447
Dave Hatton	Labour Party	1241
Dave Peggs	Labour Party	1210
Jacky Grayson	Labour Party	1191
Jill Murdoch	Labour Party	1189
Helen Ruffles	Labour Party	1121
Robin Winn	Labour Party	976
Richard Dickson	Liberal Democrats	839
Graham Thomas	Liberal Democrats	823
Barbara Ward	Liberal Democrats	795
Aidan Foss	Liberal Democrats	753

Park Hill Ward (4 seats)

Candidate	Party	Votes
Dave Shilton	Liberal Democrats	702
Judy Rawson	Liberal Democrats	633
Mary Harrison	Liberal Democrats	620
Doug Golby	Liberal Democrats	603
*Tony Dalton	Conservative Party	579
*Spencer Harrison	Conservative Party	557
*Peter Durrant	Conservative Party	532
*Joanna Illingworth	Conservative Party	514
Muriel Johnston	Labour Party	499
Harry Scarborough	Labour Party	482
Lesley Bowen	Labour Party	474
Tony Bowen	Labour Party	461

*denotes retiring councillor

TOWN POWER PASSES TO LIBERAL DEMOCRATS

The Liberal Democrats were celebrating after seizing control of the council. The Tories had gone into the election with a 11-5 majority but this was turned around completley. One of the newly elected councillors, Doug Golby, is the former editor of the Kenilworth Weekly News – he is now the news himself! He said; “There has been a lot of dismay and disgust on the doorstep and national issues have had a lot to do with this. It has been a case of Middle England betrayed”.

In Abbey ward the Lib-Dems took all six seats, with Jack Bastock easily topping the poll. Tory stalwart Michael Coker, who had been on the council since 1983, lost his seat by 33 votes. The Lib-Dems also had a clean-sweep in Park Hill where present tory councillors, Dalton, Harrison, Durrant and Joanna Illingworth were all un-seated. They were replaced by Golby, Shilton, Rawson and Harrison.

New to the council is Dave Shilton, who said “We have a good team in Park Hill and look forward to working hard to look after people in the ward. We are very grateful to the voters for giving us the chance to represent them”.

But in St. John’s the colour was all blue, with the five retiring Tories being re-elected, and were joined by new member Paul Spillman. He replaced Richard Dickinson, who did not seek re-election as he is moving to Sussex. He had been elected to the council at the November 1993 by-election.

Long standing Tory councillor Spencer Harrision lost his town seat but retained his place at the district council, but said he was very disappointed. “But it was a democratic result and we can’t complain about that”. Mr Harrison had been the last remaining councillor to have served on the old KUDC, which existed until 1974.

Kenilworth Town Councillors

10 Liberal Democrats (D. Shilton, J. Rawson, M. Harrison, D. Golby, J. Bastock, H. Thomas, E. Thomas, P. Ryan, H. Pavier, J. Gillman)

6 Conservatives (P. Edwards, B. Wooller, G. Windybank, P. Cox, F. Bunker, P. Spillman)

Mayors

Town Clerk – Susan Howell

Abbey Ward

Candidate	Party	Votes
Michael Francis Coker	Conservative Party	847
Graham John Thomas	Liberal Democrats	492
Margi Levy	Labour Party	371

COKER’S BACK – FOLLOWING A LEAFLET ROW

This by-election was called due to the death of Enys Thomas (mother of candidate, Graham Thomas and wife of Cllr Haydn Thomas) who died at Warwick Hospital in May following a short illness. She had been taken ill during a council meeting on 25th April. She had been on the town council since 1991.

Graham Thomas said; “I am not too downhearted, I did my best and it was an improvement on last time. It was a shame the turnout was low but at least between us, Margi Levy and I managed to poll more votes than the winner”.

Before the election, a squabble broke-out over the ‘Tory in Touch’ leaflets that had been distributed around the ward. The disagreement was about who was telling the truth to the voters. Lib-Dem group leader, Haydn Thomas said it was full of distortion and half-truths. If this is what is being sent out for a town council election, what will it be like for a General Election. Mr. Coker reacted by saying that he stood by the leaflet. There is a checklist of Liberal Democrat promises, and what we are saying is that they have not carried out any of them. People will be the judge of that.

Seven polling stations were used for this election: Priors Field School, Clinton School, Parochial Hall, Baptist Church, Methodist Church, the Library and one at Burton Green.

Kenilworth Town Councillors

9 Liberal Democrats (D. Shilton, J. Rawson, M. Harrison, D. Golby, J. Bastock, H. Thomas, P. Ryan, H. Pavier, J. Gillman)

7 Conservatives (M. Coker, P. Edwards, B. Wooller, G. Windybank, P. Cox, F. Bunker, P. Spillman)

Abbey Ward

Candidate	Party	Votes
Ann Blacklock	Liberal Democrats	932
Andrea Wooller	Conservative Party	919
Margi Levy	Labour Party	339

Turnout 33.6%

LUCKY 13 FOR LIBERAL DEMOCRATS

This by-election was automatically called due to Lib-Dem councillor, Jill Wane, not attending any meetings for six months. But the Lib-Dems hung onto the seat by the skin of their teeth, by just 13 votes. It was the one of the closest fought elections in a long time.

Ann Blacklock was the victorious candidate which will be her first time on the town council. She said of the count; “It was very exciting, we knew it was going to be close and had a good chance”. We knew we had support for Liberal Democrats policies but we did not know if they would turnout on the day.

Defeated Tory candidate, Andrea Wooller, said there had been no tears and she had enjoyed the campaign. I have no hard feelings, and I phyically could not have done anymore. I did my best. However, she is looking forward to fighting in Abbey Ward again, at next year’s election.

Only about a third of all the registered electors bothered to vote, which is typical of many by-elections, especially at this time of the year.

It was vital the Liberal Democrats retained their seat. If the Tories had have been successful, the council would have been locked on 8 seats-a-piece. This would have made an interesting situation at Southbank Road. As it turned out the LIb-Dems retained their slender two seat majority – but it would only last a few months.

Kenilworth Town Councillors

9 Liberal Democrats (A. Blacklock, D. Shilton, J. Rawson, H. Harrison, D. Golby, J. Bastock, H. Thomas, P. Ryan, H. Pavier)

7 Conservative Party (M. Coker, P. Edwards, B. Wooller, G. Windybank, P. Cox, F. Bunker, P. Spillman)

Abbey Ward (6 seats)

Candidate	Party	Votes
*Jack Bastock	Liberal Democrats	1450
*Haydn Alan Thomas	Liberal Democrats	1328
*Helen Pavier	Liberal Democrats	1266
*Ann Blacklock	Liberal Democrats	1263
*Michael Coker	Conservative Party	1212
John Hatfield	Conservative Party	1113
Lois Darley	Liberal Democrats	1050
Andrea Wooller	Conservative Party	1048
Joanna Mary Illingworth	Conservative Party	929
Jacquelyn Earle	Conservative Party	904
David Pool	Conservative Party	897
Margi Levy	Labour Party	571
Rosemary Ellis	Labour Party	561
Christopher Payne	Labour Party	483

Conservatives gain one from Liberal Democrats

Park Hill Ward (4 seats)

Candidate	Party	Votes
*Dave Shilton	Liberal Democrats	855
*Doug Golby	Liberal Democrats	716
*Judy Rawson	Liberal Democrats	696
*Graham Windybank	Conservative Party	663
*Mary Harrison	Liberal Democrats	622
Spencer Harrison	Conservative Party	544
Daphne Harrison	Conservative Party	536
Ursula Durrant	Conservative Party	535
Chris Edgerton	Labour Party	287
Harry Scarborough	Labour Party	216

Conservatives gain one from Liberal Democrats

St John’s Wards (6 seats)

Candidate	Party	Votes
*Pauline Edwards	Conservative Party	1737
*Bob Wooller	Conservative Party	1615
Alan Cockburn	Conservative Party	1582
*Felicity Bunker	Conservative Party	1431
Tim Porter	Conservative Party	1425
*Paul Spillman	Conservative Party	1366
Alan Ainsworth	Labour Party	851
David Peggs	Labour Party	838
Janice Ford	Labour Party	824
Richard Dickson	Liberal Democrats	737
Neil Clark	Liberal Democrats	728
Barbara Ward	Liberal Democrats	687
Graham Thomas	Liberal Democrats	676
Tina Nason	Liberal Democrats	637

Conservatives hold six seats

TORIES BACK IN CONTROL ….. JUST

The Conservatives gained two seats but that was enough for them to overturn the 9-7 Lib-Dem majority into a 9-7 majority in their favour. When the Lib-Dems took control four years ago, they had a 10-6 majority. It was the first time since the inception of the Town Council 25 years ago that the Tories did not have control. But by the end of the term, that majority had dropped to only two, this was due to them losing one seat in a by-election, but they did hold onto a seat in another by-election, so preserving the status quo.

The two crucial gains for the Tories came in Abbey and Park Hill.

Graham Windybank was delighted at being re-elected to Park Hill following his switch from St John’s. He was also hoping that Spencer or Daphne Harrison would be elected but with the popularity of Dave Shilton and the other Lib-Dems, his chances along with the other Tories didn’t seem that high. But he managed to push out sitting Lib-Dem councillor Mary Harrison, the only candidate who was seeking re-elected not to get back in.

The Tories were very happy to see the return of John Hatfield, who had lost his seat in the 1995 poll. New to the Tory ranks are Tim Porter and Alan Cockburn, who were standing for the first time. Both were easily returned at St John’s, being well clear of their rivals. The Tory group are likely to take up all the chairmanships of the town committees.

Following the Tory victory, Liberal Democrats group leader, Haydn Thomas, will lose his position as leader of the council. That will now be taken-up by Mr Coker. Mr Thomas was bitterly disappointed in the final results, which gave the Tories power at Southbank Road. But, he was glad they got most of their councillors re-elected but he was sad that they had lost control.

The Mystery of the Lost Nomination Forms

She added, “We have not received his nomination. There is nothing the returning officer can do to let Mr Ryan stand as a candidate”. Mr Thomas, said “I took Pat’s papers along with mine and all the others to the election offices the Tuesday after Easter, and they were very busy. The officers say they cannot find Pat’s nomination forms, I am not sure what we can do, I am gutted at the news. I have searched high and low and have doubled checked that I have not left them at home”.

The lost forms meant that the Lib-Dems could only field five candidates in Abbey ward where six seats were available. Many believed that if Pat Ryan had stood he would have been elected.

Labour Woes

The Labour group had a bad day with not one of their eight candidates getting anywhere near elected. However, all their candidates in St John’s beat all five Lib-Dems. One of them, David Peggs said that he was disappointed that the voters of Kenilworth seemed to be out of touch with the rest of the district. “Now that the Tories are in power we are going to see even more griping about the district and very little positive action”

In the country, Tony Blair’s ‘New Labour’ government had been in power for the past two years. But the socalist vote in Kenilworth was still very low. Even with the town having a Labour MP, Andy King, this did not help the Labour group getting anywhere near winning seat in the town. Indeed, the last Labour candidate to be elected to the town council was Bill Wozencroft in 1979, but lost his seat in the 1983.

Polling stations were open from 8am to 9pm.

Kenilworth Town Councillors

9 Conservatives (M. Coker, A. Cockburn, P. Edwards, B. Wooller, F. Bunker, P. Spillman, T. Porter, G. Windybank, J. Hatfield)

7 Liberal Democrats (D. Shilton, D. Golby, J. Rawson, J. Bastock, H. Thomas, A. Blacklock, H. Pavier)

Mayors

Town Clerk – Susan Howell

St. John’s Ward

Candidate	Party	Votes
Richard Ivor Davies	Conservative Party	975
Janice Ford	Labour Party	515
Patrick Joseph Ryan	Liberal Democrats	254

Turnout 24%

EASY VICTORY FOR TORIES IN POOR TURNOUT

Newcomer to the Town Council is Richard Davies after securing a heavy majority over Labour’s Jan Ford of 460. But the major talking point was the turnout of just 24%. Town clerk, Susan Howell, described it as “Very Disappointing”.

The by-election came about due to the retirement of veteran Tory, Bob Wooller, who was moving to Devon. He first stood in a town election in 1979 but was unsuccessful. But his luck changed in 1982 when he won a by-election at St. John’s, and has remained on the council ever since. In the 1983 election, he polled a massive 2,046 votes, the largest in the whole election.

Polling Card Issues

Election officials at the District Council responded to criticism by some residents who said they did not receive polling cards. One elector was even told she could vote at Castle Farm recreation ground only to find there was no polling station there. The District Council sent out around 7,000 polling cards to the ward from 1st to 5th November. Election officer, Gillian Friar, said that as far as we are aware, all our canvassers posted the cards on time to the electors and to the correct addresses. “The cards give details of where the polling stations are located, opening hours and name of candidates”. But electors can vote without them, all they need to do is give their name and address to the polling staff, and as long as they are on the electorial roll, there isn’t a problem.

Three of the polling stations used in the election: Kenilworth School, Castle Sixth Form and St. John’s church hall.

The count took place at the council house in Southbank Road, and the results were declared at around 10pm, one hour after the polls closed.

Kenilworth Town Councillors

9 Conservatives (M. Coker, A. Cockburn, P. Edwards, R. Davies, F. Bunker, P. Spillman, T. Porter, G. Windybank, J. Hatfield)

7 Liberal Democrats (D. Shilton, D. Golby, J. Rawson, J. Bastock, H. Thomas, A. Blacklock, H. Pavier)

Abbey Ward (5 seats)

Candidate	Party	Votes
*Ann Blacklock	Liberal Democrats	1121
*Michael Francis Coker	Conservative Party	1055
*John Edmond Hatfield	Conservative Party	1006
Patrick Joseph Ryan	Liberal Democrats	920
George Reginald Illingworth	Conservative Party	907
Alan Rickers	Conservative Party	876
Lois Darley	Liberal Democrats	821
Kevin Holt	Liberal Democrats	807
John Richard Whitehouse	Liberal Democrats	798
Dave Skinner	Conservative Party	774
Jacky Smith	Labour Party	296
Dave Peggs	Labour Party	285
Chris Gallon	Labour Party	271
Jacqui Jones	Labour Party	258
Andrew Keith Roadnight	Labour Party	231

Turnout 41.4%

Park Hill Ward (6 seats)

Candidate	Party	Votes
*Dave John Shilton	Liberal Democrats	1161
*Felicity Gena Bunker	Conservative Party	1030
Dominic Coker	Conservative Party	985
*Douglas Alan Golby	Liberal Democrats	927
Spencer Charlton Harrison	Conservative Party	922
Ursula Stella Durrant	Conservative Party	921
Daphne Rose Harrison	Conservative Party	917
John Sheehan (aka Tony Walsh)	Conservative Party	893
Richard Sweeney	Liberal Democrats	845
Alison Rita Margaret Tyler	Liberal Democrats	817
Adrian Sellars	Liberal Democrats	782
Alec Would	Liberal Democrats	705
Maureen Teresa Hazelwood	Labour Party	356
Peter Hodgkinson	Labour Party	350
Henry Scarborough	Labour Party	327
Peter Joseph Shiels	Labour Party	315
Robin Rain Winn	Labour Party	303
Elizabeth Saxon	Labour Party	299

Turnout 38.5%

St John’s Ward (6 seats)

Candidate	Party	Votes
*Pauline Winifred Edwards	Conservative Party	1198
*Alan James Lancaster Cockburn	Conservative Party	1172
Trevor Martin	Kenilworth Regeneration	1157
*Leslie Graham Windybank	Conservative Party	1102
Richard Ivor Graham Davies	Conservative Party	1065
Norman John Vincent	Conservative Party	958
*Paul Spillman	Conservative Party	942
Shirley Beatrice Shilton	Liberal Democrats	736
Mary Latham Harrison	Liberal Democrats	609
*Judith Rawson	Liberal Democrats	582
Michael Collier	Labour Party	563
Alan Ainsworth	Labour Party	556
Jan Ford	Labour Party	556
Ruth Tennant	Labour Party	468
Kieth Thompson	Labour Party	456
Caryll Green	Green Party	417
Christopher Edgerton	24/7 Care For The Elderly	409
Pippa Austin	Green Party	402

Turnout 44.8%

TORIES GAIN MASSIVE MAJORITY

There was a bit of a shake-up in this year’s election, not only in the overall result but the restructuring of the wards. One extra seat was allocated to the town, which now has a total of 17 members. Abbey ward was down to five seats, while Park Hill was increased from four to six. St John’s remained the same on 6 seats.

At the last poll in 1999, the Conservatives had a slendor majority of just two (9-7), but that was vastly increased to a 12-5 majority. New to the Tory ranks are George Illingworth, Dominic Coker, Richard Davies, Norman Vincent, Ursula Durrant and veteran, Spencer Harrision. He has admitted that he would have preferred a younger person to stand in his place. He said that he would be quite happy to have become a ‘has-been’. But we can’t get any 40 year-olds to stand, local government loses out by not having young councillors, who are willing and able to give up their time. Mr Harrision refuses to reveal his age but he confesses being at Leamington Town Hall when the votes were being counted, 72 years-ago!

The Liberal Democrats were slowly fading away in Kenilworth, being down to only four members. The ‘big guns’ of Jack Bastock, Haydn Thomas and Helen Pavier, did not stand for re-election and Judith Rawson, was un-successful in St. John’s. However, Ann Blacklock topped the poll in Abbey with 1121 and Dave Shilton was well clear in Park Hill with 1161. Former Kenilworth Weekly News editor, Doug Golby was also returned for the third time since 1995. Stalwart Pat Ryan, was back on the council after the lost nomination papers fiasco of 1999, came fourth in Abbey ward.

Kenilworth Regeneration Shock

The biggest shock of the election was Independent candidate, Trevor Martin, who stood on a ticket of ‘Kenilworth Regeneration’, coming third in St John’s with 1157 votes . Mr Martin, of Bullimore Grove, did not expect to be elected and it was not only a shock to himself but to many others as well. He admitted that his legs were a bit wobbly when he heard the results come through. He was the first ever Independent candidate to be elected to the town council. The last time any Independent sat in Kenilworth was way back in 1964, when it was the old KUDC.

During his campaign, Mr. Martin wasted several days taking down posters that were later found to be legal. He was informed that his leaflets that he had placed in shop windows were not allowed, as ‘fly-posting’ was an offence. It later transpired that it was legal for him to display his posters in shop windows. Gillian Friar, from the election office at Warwick District Council said; “The Electoral Commission said that it was not infact an offence, because the businesses were private premises and he had asked personally to display the leaflets”. She added; “You can’t fly-post and the other parties thought this was unfair, but the commission said Mr. Martin wasn’t breaking any rules”.

But Mr. Martin’s initial elation then turned to frustration after only one council meeting. The meeting was only to decide on planning applications and who serves on the various committees. Mr. Martin left the meeting feeling very angry and disappointed. He believes that procedure and red-tape is already preventing him from starting work on the regeneration of Kenilworth town centre.

From Labour to the Elderly

One other Independent who stood in St John’s was Chris Edgerton, a former Abbey High school pupil, who ran on a ticket of ’24/7 Care for The Elderly’. This was due to him becoming a full-time carer for his mother and all the issues that come along with it. He is a familar name in Kenilworth town elections, normally as a Labour candidate. But he had resigned his membership in protest of the Iraq war. He said “Many people have left the Labour party but its difficult to say how I would have done if I was still a member”.

The Green’s Arrive in Kenilworth

The Green Party stood for the very first time in a Town Council election with two candidates, Pippa Austin and Caryll Green, but both came near the bottom of the pile in St John’s. But who knows what the future may bring for the party. Maybe in 20 years time, they could even be in control of the council?

Kenilworth Town Councillors

12 Conservatives (M. Coker, D. Coker, A. Cockburn, S. Harrison, F. Bunker, P. Edwards, R. Davies, N. Vincent, G. Windybank, U. Durrant, J. Hatfield, G. Illingworth)

4 Liberal Democrats (P. Ryan, A. Blacklock, D. Shilton, D. Golby)

1 Independent (T. Martin)

Mayors

Town Clerk – Susan Howell

Park Hill Ward

Candidate	Party	Votes
Alison Tyler	Liberal Democrats	670
Daphne Harrison	Conservative Party	623
Robert Daniel	Kenilworth Regeneration	250
Maureen Hazelwood	Labour Party	112
Brian Hadland	English Independence	88

Turnout 27.5%

LIB-DEM GAIN FROM CONSERVATIVES

Last years poll was closely contested in Park Hill with four Tories and two Lib-Dems being elected. Indeed, the 4th, 5th and 6th places were seperated by only 6 votes. But it was not that tight this time around.

The by-election was called due to the resignation of Conservative, Dominic Coker, who was elected to the town council last year at his first attempt.

Postal Ballots & Holidays

Having a by-election in mid-August was never going to create a great deal of interest – it was holiday time. Indeed, of the 1,743 people that voted, 633 did so by post. Terrible weather on the day of the election did not help matters either, it chucked it down. All the five polling stations used, were very quiet the whole day. Only 27.5% of the electorate excised their right to vote.

Mrs Tyler of Inchbrook Road, who works at Warwickshire College in Leamington, was delighted to have won, especially following last years disappointment. Dave Shilton, leader of the Liberal Democrats on the town council said that it was a great result for us and it shows that people trust us and know that we work hard in Kenilworth. Their campaign also saw former councillor and town Mayor, Jack Bastock come out of ‘retirement’ to canvass in the ward, this was despite a recent knee operation.

Tory candidate, Mrs Harrison, who was a town councillor 10 years ago but gave-up due to work commitments said; “Of course I am disappointed, it was a good campaign and people were very supportive on the doorstep”. But it was not all bad news for the Tories as they still have an overall majority on the council of 5 seats.

Kenilworth Town Councillors

11 Conservatives (M. Coker, A. Cockburn, S. Harrison, F. Bunker, P. Edwards, R. Davies, N. Vincent, G. Windybank, U. Durrant, J. Hatfield, G. Illingworth)

5 Liberal Democrats (P. Ryan, A. Blacklock, D. Shilton, D. Golby, A. Tyler)

1 Independent (T. Martin)

St. John’s Ward

Candidate	Party	Votes
Susan Vera Howell	Conservative Party	862
Shirley Beatrice Shilton	Liberal Democrats	695
Jeremy Eastaugh	Labour Party	201
Brian Percy Hadland	Independent	48
Christopher John Edgerton	OBH No Care Beds	16

Electorate 5862

Ballot Papers Issued 1338 (31.3% Turnout)

FORMER TOWN CLERK NOW A COUNCILLOR

There was a poor turnout of just 31% turnout for this by-election following the death of long-serving Tory councillor Graham Windybank. It was always likely that the seat would remain in Tory hands as it has been a stronghold of theirs for decades. Indeed, Susan Howell was the victorious, winning by a majority of 167 votes. Her name will be familiar to Kenilworth people as she had been the town clerk from 1987 to 2003. She is now back in the council chamber, not taking the minutes but making them!

Mrs Howell of Thickthorn Orchards, who was born in Solihull was delighted at the result. She admitted that during her time as town clerk she was always interested in listening to the council meetings, and often wanted to say something but now she can!

Chairman of the Kenilworth Liberal Democrats, John Whitehouse said that they were happy at the outcome of their candidate, Shirley Shilton getting 695 votes, considering we traditionally have not been strong in this ward, it is something we can build upon.

Kenilworth Town Councillors

11 Conservatives (M. Coker, A. Cockburn, S. Harrison, F. Bunker, P. Edwards, R. Davies, N. Vincent, S. Howell, U. Durrant, J. Hadfield, G. Illingworth)

5 Liberal Democrats (P. Ryan, A. Blacklock, D. Shilton, D. Golby, A. Tyler)

1 Independent (T. Martin)