A SURGE of success for independent candidates was the highlight of elections for all 24 seats on Evesham Town Council.
Former town councillors Michael Elliman and John Smith were among the casualties as a host of independents topped the polls to ensure a shake up at the authority.
Coun Emma Nishigaki won the popular vote in the Avon ward for the Evesham Independents with 239 votes and was one of three councillors elected including Jennifer Johnson (Conservative) and Labour’s Susan Smith.
There was more joy for independents in Great Hampton as Coun Brian Turrell and Coun Emma Haynes topped the poll. Coun Frances Smith (Conservative) was re-elected but John Smith saw his association with the Town Council end, four years after losing his seat on Wychavon District Council.
Mayor of Evesham Coun Mark Goodge was returned to the town hall but had to settle for second place in Bengeworth behind new Conservative town councillor Coun Robert Hale who notched up 602 votes.
Long-serving independent Coun Alan Booth, Green Party councillor Norbert Tucker and the Liberal Democrats Coun Julie Haines picked up the remaining three seats on offer.
Coun Andrew Dyke (Conservative) secured a return to the town council as one of four Conservatives selected in the Great Hampton ward together with Ged Bearcroft, Patrick Clifford and Robert Raphael.
Evesham Independents secured another success as Coun Sarah Schaathun defeated the challenge of Labour and Liberal Democrat hopefuls to win another seat on the council. She will be joined by Coun Chrissy Smith who secured one of the five seats on offer in the south ward.
Coun Julie Tucker continued her success from the district council elections by picking up a seat for the Green Party while Coun Marlene Sale and Coun Lynne Jakeman and Coun Sue Amor rounded out the top five.
A day to remember for Evesham Independents was completed by Coun Gary Hale who topped the poll in the Twyford ward ahead of Conservatives Coun Jo Sandalls and Coun Patrick Boyd.
Meanwhile in Pershore’s St Andrews ward, current Mayor of Pershore Coun Chris Parsons was among eight members to be elected to serve for another four years.
He will be joined on the council by Coun David Annis, Coun Michael Chapman-Pincher, Coun Julie Hemming, Coun Val Smith, Coun Charles Tucker, Coun Liz Turier and Coun Matthew Winfield. The election in Holy Cross was uncontested because of a lack of candidates.
https://eveshamobserver.co.uk/news/wychavon-district-council-elections-for-the-vale-in-full/
