Eleven New Liberal Democrat District Councillors in Sevenoaks District
Sevenoaks District Council has a new look this week, after Liberal Democrats took seats in Edenbridge, Leigh, Penshurst, Brasted Chevening and Sundridge, and made big gains in Sevenoaks Town.
By the end of a long count all nine District Council seats in the Town had fallen to Liberal Democrats, including that of Conservative council leader Peter Fleming. Both District seats in Kippington, Conservative held for over 50 years, changed hands.
Eleven new Liberal Democrat councillors include Jim Morgan in Edenbridge, Malcolm Silander in Leigh, and Sandra Robinson and Michelle Alger in Brasted Chevening and Sundridge. In Sevenoaks Town the new District team includes former diplomat David Skinner, current Town councillors Claire Shea and Sue Camp, journalist Nick Varley, businesswoman Chloe Gustard, local school governor Alan Leaman and designer Victoria Granville Baxter.
Elizabeth Purves, re-elected as leader of the 14 strong Liberal Democrat group yesterday, said "We're delighted that so many people across the District responded to our positive campaign. Our collaborative and practical approach for a Safer, Greener and Fairer Sevenoaks is appreciated by everyone who has had enough chaos and shouting from other parties. We look forward to bringing constructive ideas to the new council, and working with all who share these priorities of local people to deliver them"
"Our new members will be looking to change the way Sevenoaks District Council works, making it more open and accountable. It's clear that people are fed up with decisions taken by a small clique, ignoring the views of the community"