Tories retain tight grip on council (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Tories retain tight grip on council

8:39am Friday 4th May 2007 in Swindon By Gazette Reporter

The Conservatives' vice like grip over Swindon Council remains as strong as ever following the latest elections.

The Tories made two gains on the night after winning the Freshbrook and Grange Park seat vacated by Independent councillor Geraldine Frost and claiming the Moredon ward by ousting longstanding Labour councillor Maureen Caton.

But Labour hit back with two gains of their own in the shape of Paul Baker's victory in Penhill and Derique Montaut's success in Central ward.

advertisement Due to Conservative and Labour councillors swapping seats in Central and Moredon, both parties increased their seats on the council to 42 and 13, respectively.

Elsewhere, the Tories continue to dominate Haydon Wick with Ian Dobie reelected and Rex Barnett comfortably taking the seat given up by Wayne Lawley.

Deputy leader of the council Fionnuala Foley as expected cruised home by a majority of 1,501 in Old Town and Lawn, while Peter Stoddart (Abbey Meads), Glenn Smith (Covingham and Nythe) and Andy Albinson (Dorcan) also had stress free nights.

Less comfortable, however, were the victories of Tory Paul Findlow, who only had 36 votes to spare over Labour counterpart Teresa Page in St Philip.

And Conservative stalwart Peter Mallinson had just 45 votes between him and Labour's Neil Heavens in Walcot.