Winning candidates pledge to continue service in wards as seats are retained (From Wharfedale Observer)

Winning candidates pledge to continue service in wards as seats are retained

12:35pm Friday 11th May 2012 in Local news

Last week saw the elections for seats on local councils taking place. Here our reporters look at the results and reaction in their areas.

In Horsforth, Guiseley and Rawdon, and Harewood, Conservative and Liberal Democrat councillors escaped unscathed from the bloody nose being given to their colleagues around the country.

In all three wards, the sitting councillors were re-elected in stark contrast to the protest votes taking place in other areas.

In Horsforth, Liberal Democrat Chris Townsley easily held on to his seat, with 2,636 votes, compared to 1,725 won by his nearest rival, Conservative Richard Hardcastle.

Coun Townsley said: “I would just like to say a big thank you to all of the Horsforth Ward residents who voted for me. I am both proud and privileged to be able to serve you again over the next four years.”

In Guiseley and Rawdon the contest was more closely fought, with Liberal Democrat Graham Latty holding on to his seat with 2,750 votes – fighting off strong opposition from Labour’s Mike King, who gained 2,526 votes.

Coun Latty said thanked all the people who had supported him.

“I am conscious of the trust that they have once more placed in me, and assure them that I will carry on working for the benefit of us all, with a concentration on trying to protect our Greenfields and Green Belt.”

He added: “I fought the campaign on my record of working for the local community over 12 years, a record I am very proud of.

“I think the message now is that from this day forward the Core Strategy, the Building Land Allocation, a Neighbourhood Plan for each of our townships and a Parish Council for Rawdon will be the priority, not only for me but for the rest of my team, Coun Pat Latty, Coun Paul Wadsworth and last, but by no means least, Stuart Andrew MP.”

In Harewood, the Conservatives carried off a resounding victory with the re-election of Ann Castle, who took almost 2,400 votes more than her nearest rival, Labour’s Richard Beacham .

She said: “I am delighted that I have been re-elected to serve the people of Harewood ward for a further four years. I shall be taking over from Coun Alan Taylor as Lord Mayor of Leeds with effect from May 21, but that will not stop me from helping the people that I represent to resolve any problems they may encounter over council services.

“I will also continue to assist the residents of the villages within my ward to develop Neighbourhood Plans so that any future development accords with the wishes of local residents.”

HORSFORTH: Chris Townsley (Lib-Dem) 2,636; Richard Hardcastle (Con) 1,725; Gary Kaye (Lab) 1,381; Paul Hellyer (UKIP) 453; Andrea Binns (Green) 317; Andy Smith (Trade Unionists and Socialists Against Cuts) 77.

HAREWOOD: Ann Castle (Con) 3,555; Richard Beacham (Lab) 1,156; Peter Morgan (UKIP) 636; Sara Howell (Lib-Dem) 312; Patricia Capstick (Green) 262.

GUISELEY & RAWDON: Graham Latty (Con) 2,750; Mike King (Lab) 2,526; Colin Avison (Green) 621; Robert Jacques (Lib-Dem) 397.