A clean sweep for Lib Dems

By Staff Copy

IT WAS a clean sweep for the Liberal Democrats in Knaresborough at last week's elections.
Every one of the candidates fielded for the town council elections held on Thursday, May 3 was voted in by electors.

There are 15 places on Knaresborough Town Council and the three wards, Knaresborough Scriven Park, Knaresborough East and King James Ward have five Lib Dem candidates each.

Established town councillors, John and Diana Smith from the Conservatives and Independent, Andy Wright all lost their seats.

Wednesday saw the first meeting of the new councillors at Knaresborough House.

“This marks the end of an era and a new beginning for the council,” said Coun Peter Guest, Mayor of Knaresborough. “For our new councillors, it’s a steep, learning curve and a daunting one but we have lots of new opportunities here.”

l For the first time in almost 40 years, Knaresborough will see a Mayor hold the position for two consecutive years with the current Mayor, Coun Peter Guest nominated to stand for a second year of office.

Coun Guest will be officially elected at the annual mayor-making ceremony at Knaresborough House on Friday, May 18.

It is believed the last time someone held the same role of office for two years running was Coun George A Holch in 1968 and 1969 when he was Chairman of Knaresborough Urban District Council as it used to be known.

maggie.gell@ypn.co.uk

Election results

KNARESBOROUGH EAST

Andrew Willoughby, Lib Dem 756; Christine Willoughby, Lib Dem 714; June Hawkins, Lib Dem 702; Jacqueline Brankin, Lib Dem 629; Andrew Wright, Independent 502; Christopher Williams, Cons 443; David Crosthwaite, Labour 220.

KNARESBOROUGH KING JAMES

Jean Burdett, Lib Dem 1050; Richard Hall, Lib Dem 996; Barbara Asquith, Lib Dem 911; Lynda Powell, Lib Dem 853; Lynne Yorke-Davies, Lib Dem 796; Michael Gallico, Lib Dem 717; Diana Smith, Cons 716; Eric Hamer, Cons 707; John Smith, Cons 681; Simon Hutchings, Labour 159.

KNARESBOROUGH SCRIVEN PARK

Kevin Hawkins, Lib Dem 740; Peter Guest, Lib Dem 669; Pamela Godsell, Lib Dem 664, Mavis Clemmitt, Lib Dem 653; Robert Archibald, Lib Dem 623; Robert Aspin, Cons 531; Judith Hamer, Cons 515.
Knaresborough Post

Last Updated: 10 May 2007