JOY: Tory Hazel Steen celebrates with husband Coun Peter Steen
THE Tories re-asserted their grip on power in Rossendale by gaining three seats.
It was a return to form after a turbulent time for the party which has seen three of its group leave since last September, including former leader Duncan Ruddick who became an independent.
Council leader Tony Swain said he was delighted with the election result which saw new faces Hazel Steen, Peter Evans and David Stansfield joining the group.
Cabinet members Judith Driver and Janet Graham also retained their seats.
Liberal Democrats were celebrating after gaining a seat in Whitewell ward, while Labour lost two of three seats with long-serving councillor, Tina Durkin of Irwell ward and Coun Amanda Hewlett from Hareholme losing out to Conservatives.
Coun Swain said: "We are back to a position of strength. We've now got 21 councillors. Now there will be two years of improve-ments. We've already gone from poor to good in the audit commission ratings and we need to get better.
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"There are good things happening here. We'll be focusing on improving Raw-tenstall centre, developing the new health hub and the bus depot.
"We've proved that we are the right people to take this area forward.
"Liberal Democrats might have gained a seat but we are still in power now and we'll be making the decisions in this council."
Coun Durkin said: "I am disappointed but this is democracy and that's what happens. The Labour party is losing seats because of Gordon Brown but I will stand again."
Labour leader Alyson Barnes said: "Some of the figures were very close and I would like to thank the residents who supported us."
Lib Dems leader Catherine Pilling said: "As far as we are concerned, we are moving onwards and definitely upwards."
Posted by: Doug Spencer, Bacup on 10:55am Sat 3 May 08
Although the Tories nationally have increased their share of councillors, has it gone un-noticed that in Rossendale all that has happened realistically is that they have regained the 3 seats they lost in September!
Although the Tories nationally have increased their share of councillors, has it gone un-noticed that in Rossendale all that has happened realistically is that they have regained the 3 seats they lost in September!
Posted by: election scanner, Rossendale on 11:07am Sat 3 May 08
Its a disappointment as many election results are missing this year.The Lancashire telegraph generally tells us who is in control on Bury council but this year there was no mention in the paper of it.For political pundits in Ramsbottom Bury council now consists of CON.21 LAB.11 LIBDEM.3 and INDEPENDENT 1.Also missing were results full results from Chorley Council and the Todmorden Results from Calderdale Council.These have ALL been in in previous years.You have readers in these areas.Can we look forward to full service being resumed in forthcoming years?
Its a disappointment as many election results are missing this year.The Lancashire telegraph generally tells us who is in control on Bury council but this year there was no mention in the paper of it.For political pundits in Ramsbottom Bury council now consists of CON.21 LAB.11 LIBDEM.3 and INDEPENDENT 1.Also missing were results full results from Chorley Council and the Todmorden Results from Calderdale Council.These have ALL been in in previous years.You have readers in these areas.Can we look forward to full service being resumed in forthcoming years?
Posted by: Tim Nuttall, LibDem Cllr Whitewell ward on 8:46pm Sun 4 May 08
Dawn is correct, I did gain this seat for the Lib Dems in Sept last year when Conservative Cllr Marlene Crosta resigned, but I could only complete Cllr Crosta's term; hence I had to re-fight this seat last week. Labour Cllr David Hancock resigned his seat this March giving a second vacant seat in Whitewell which was won by my Lib Dem colleague, Jim Pilling. This means that Lib Dems in Whitewell held one seat and gained one from Labour. It should be noted that the Tories in Rossendale only gained two seats as one was the 'Independent' seat vacated by their former leader, Duncan Ruddick, so it was really a Tory seat anyway.
Dawn is correct, I did gain this seat for the Lib Dems in Sept last year when Conservative Cllr Marlene Crosta resigned, but I could only complete Cllr Crosta's term; hence I had to re-fight this seat last week. Labour Cllr David Hancock resigned his seat this March giving a second vacant seat in Whitewell which was won by my Lib Dem colleague, Jim Pilling. This means that Lib Dems in Whitewell held one seat and gained one from Labour. It should be noted that the Tories in Rossendale only gained two seats as one was the 'Independent' seat vacated by their former leader, Duncan Ruddick, so it was really a Tory seat anyway.
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