The results on the town council elections were announced today. Long standing councillor Rose Jones has lost her seat as has Stuart Waite. Stalwarts Viv Parry, Tim Gill and Glen Ginger are continuing.
With eight new councillors alongside seven continuing councillors, we can expect lively debates, especially over the town walls. It was not a very clean campaign, with both the Electoral Commission and Shropshire Council issuing warnings to candidates about imprints and flyposting. There were attacks on candidates on social media as well.
Certainly, there was more interest in this election than recent town council elections. That can only be a good thing though some of the tactics must be deplored.
Ludlow Bringewood Ward: 2 seats
- MAXWELL-MULLER Ian Robert: The Russet, The Old Orchard, Temeside, Ludlow, SY8 1JW: 181 votes (new councillor)
- TAPLEY Alan Richard: 18 Stanton Road, Ludlow, SY8 2LR: 200 votes (continuing councillor)
Ludlow Clee View Ward: 2 seats
- TAYLOR Matthew James: (address in Shropshire): 130 votes (new councillor)
- WAITE Beverley Ann Elaine: (address in Shropshire): 285 votes (continuing councillor)
Ludlow Corve Ward: 2 seats
- COWELL Katherine Margery: (address in Shropshire): 195 votes (new councillor)
- GINGER Glenn: 5 Corve ST, Ludlow, SY8 1DA: 189 votes (continuing councillor)
Ludlow Hayton Ward: 2 seats
- ADDIS Pete: (address in Shropshire): 161 votes (new councillor)
- HEPWORTH James Richard: (address in Shropshire); Independent: 173 votes (new councillor)
Ludlow Whitcliffe Ward: 2 seats
- GILL Tim: Waterside, Temeside, Ludlow, SY8 1PD; Completely Independent: 242 votes (continuing councillor)
- OWEN Robert John Richard: Mary Knoll House, Whitcliffe, Ludlow, SY8 2HD: 200 votes (new councillor)
Ludlow Gallows Bank Ward: 3 seats (uncontested)
- CHILDS Darren: 5 Potter Close, Ludlow, Shropshire, SY8 1UD (continuing councillor)
- PARRY Elizabeth Vivienne: 31 Clifton Villas, Temeside, Ludlow, SY8 1PA (continuing councillor)
- SCOTT BELL Ian: (address in Shropshire) (new councillor)
Ludlow Rockspring Ward: 2 seats (uncontested)
- HARRIS Stacey Joanne: (address in Shropshire) (continuing councillor)
- LYLE Di: 62 Sidney Road, Ludlow, SY8 1SH (new councillor)
Many had hoped for change and the opportunity has again passed. Another term of poor judgement as Ludlow slowly declines.
I’m not so sure. 8 new councillors and 7 continuing councillors means that change can happen. Indeed, if the new councillors act in concert (unlikely I know), the “old guard” could be outvoted on any given issue. However, what we ordinary townsfolk hope is that all 15 will work together for the benefit of Ludlow and that legitimate disagreements can be resolved through considered debate and not mudslinging. The balance of new blood and previous experience should be a good thing.