Many long standing Councillors at both the Town and County Councils heard as the results started to be declared live at the count on Friday, May 3rd following the elections on May 2nd. The results have brought about huge changes for the elected bodies affecting Ross-on-Wye.

A decline in Conservative votes, paired with a rise in Liberal Democrat and Independent votes, resulted in a Liberal Democrat takeover for Ross Town Council. Of 18 available seats, 13 were won by Liberal Democrats three Independents and two Conservatives.

At the County Council, the Independents have the biggest group with 18, the Conservatives now hold 13, It’s Our County have eight, the Green party has seven and the Lib Dems six.

Loss of overall control by the Conservatives could change the course of the County Council over the next four years and put plans for a city bypass at risk.

Lib Dem Ross Town Councillor, Paul Symonds, who received the most votes in his ward, has also been elected to Herefordshire Council to represent Ross-on-Wye East Ward. This seat has been held by Conservative Phil Cutter for many years and he is also Chair of Herefordshire Planning Committee.

In another major upheaval Councillor Harry Bramer, a Cabinet Member for infrastructure and contracts, lost his seat on both the County Council and Ross Town Council. His Penyard seat was won by Independent, William Wilding. The feeling among many of the Conservative candidates was that Brexit had badly affected their results.

The West Ward at Herefordshire Council was won by another Lib Dem, Louis Stark, but the North Ward is still to be decided. This poll was postponed following the death of candidate, Gareth Williams.

Councillor Symonds told the Ross Gazette: “I’m very grateful to everyone who supported me to retain my seat on the Town Council and to represent Ross East on the County Council.”See the full story in this week’s edition of the Ross Gazette, or subscribe to our online edition here