Liberal Democrats gain seat on the borough council

THE Liberal Democrats gained a seat on Warrington Borough Council when they captured a seat at Lymm in a by-election caused by the death of former Mayor Sheila Woodyatt.
Local parish councillor Anna Fradgley came top of the poll in five party contest in Lymm South ward , with Conservative Stephen Taylor coming second.
The result leaves the Tories with only one seat on the borough council, the Liberal Democrats with 12 and Labour still massively in control with 45.
Full result in the by election was as follows:
James Ashington (UKIP) 25
Trish Cockayne (Labour) 328
Anna Fradgley (Lib Dem) 769
Stephen Taylor (Cons) 649
Michael Wass (Green) 24.
After the result was declared, Cllr Fradgley said: “I am overwhelmed by the result. It was a great victory for the Liberal Democrats. I also have very big shoes to fill following in Sheila’s footsteps, but I am sure I can rise to the challenge.
“First and foremost, my priority is to Lymm and its residents. I shall continue to protect the green belt until the Lymm Neighbourhood Plan is in place. I will also continue to maintain the environment with Keep Lymm Kleen and do more to improve the roads and safety. The next major issues that I work on with all the borough and parish councillors is youth provision and engagement and improving the business facilities available to Lymm.
“And of course, there will be other issues that will come up, which I will work hard on as they arise. Lymm is very fortunate to have a strong parish council and hard-working borough douncillors and I only hope to contribute to this strength.”
In the Lymm Parish Council by-election also held yesterday, Conservative Andy Carter held on to the vacant seat, with the Liberal Democrats coming second.
The full result was: James Ashington (UKIP) 27; Andy Carter (Cons) 705; ~Trish Cockayne (Lab) 428 Joan Stocker (Lib Dem) 630.