Few surprises in Dales election results

Published in Matlock Mercury on Mon 7th May 2007

THE Derbyshire Dales District Council elections may not have produced any huge surprises but there were still tears, tribulations and triumphs to be had.

Wirksworth bucked the national trend and Labour secured all three district seats while the Lib Dems celebrated after gaining all three seats in Matlock St Giles and Darley Dale.

This year electorates saw more choice with more Green Party and independents standing than before and the Greens grabbed a fair few votes, making their mainstream opponents think seriously about the issues they have flagged up.

MATLOCK ST GILES

For Barry Hopkinson, Lib Dem, it was the first time he had stood as a district councillor.

He said: "I have been on the town council for some years now but people kept asking me questions about the district and so I decided to run.

"I seem to be quite popular with people and I am very happy to be here to serve all people, whatever the problem, do not hesitate to contact me.

"I try to answer questions as honestly and as truthfully as I can. I am always here for people whatever the problem, whatever the party."

It is at least 12 years since the Lib Dems managed to hold all three seats in the ward.

They are especially happy to have achieved this in 2007 after a last minute defection by a long standing Liberal Democratic councillor Ursula Lunn who stood against her former colleagues as a Conservative candidate for the ward.

For a brief moment it seemed that Cllr Lunn had triumphed over her former party members, but tears of joy turned to tears of sorrow after it emerged there had been a mistake made with the count.

MATLOCK ALL SAINTS

Sue Burfoot, Lib Dem, retained her district seat for her second term. She said: "I am absolutely delighted and thrilled to have been re-elected.

"I try hard to represent my constituents and to stick up for Matlock as I feel we often get a raw deal from the district and county councils.

"We miss out on infrastructure, affordable housing, many things that other areas seem to get.

"I want to make sure we get more recycling done and look at parking which is a real issue in the town."

Cllr Geoff Stevens, Conservative, is a veteran of the district council having served non-stop since 1979.

He said: "I hope that people have recognised the that things I have worked for in the town and the achievements I have helped to bring about.

"I look forward to serving the town and county in the future."

David Barker, Lib Dem, is a town councillor as well as having been a district councillor for 20 years.

He said: "I have lived in the town all my life and I am interested in its future development.

"We are a minority opposition in the district council but we will try and make sure we curb some of the more excessive policies that others may try and bring in."

WIRKSWORTH

Wirksworth showed its true colours in a decisive win for the Labour candidates. Irene Ratcliffe and Peter Slack retained their positions, while Mike Ratcliffe made it a hat trick for the party.

Cllr Slack said: "I am very excited and very happy to have been re-elected. It is rewarding as we have put a lot of effort into this election.

"This is my second term as a district councillor and I am always available for people. I have been involved in a lot of projects in the town such as the Millennium Garden, the skate park and the Malthouse Close protests.

"I am also a supporter of renewable energy and will be looking to support wind turbines and solar energy where ever suitable."

Cllr Irene Ratcliffe returns for her fourth term as a district councillor and was delighted to be re-elected.

She said: "The whole team support and represent the people of the town and we will be out there, always batting for the interests and inhabitants of Wirksworth."

Cllr Mike Ratcliffe added: "this time we felt that we had beaten off a challenge. The national picture looked a little bleak and we felt that may have been reflected here.

"This time the electorate has had more choice with a Green candidate standing.

"It is clear from the number of votes that they received that they represent some significant issues and we will have to take these up in a proactive way in the town."

CARSINGTON

Lewis Rose Conservative 553*

Mary Smale Green 93

Guy Wheatcroft Lib Dem 80

STANTON

Shirley Buckingham Conservative 346*

Pat Wildgoose Lib Dem 235

DARLEY DALE

Nigel Allwood Lib Dem 934*

Richard Burton Lib Dem 1016*

John Evans Independent 471

Brian Fearn Conservative 541

David Fearne Lib Dem 978*

Samantha Kay Independent 456

MASSON

Tony Davis Conservative 380

Nicholas Elliot Labour 366

Peter Hume Conservative 403*

John March Labour 427*

Tracey Steadman Lib Dem 149

David Wildgoose Lib Dem 152

MATLOCK ST GILES

Steven Flitter Lib Dem 1042*

Barry Hopkinson Lib Dem 865*

Ursula Lunn Conservative 661

Tony Rosser Lib Dem 865*

Jacquie Stevens Conservative 761

Barrie Tipping Conservative 787

MATLOCK ALL SAINTS

David Barker Lib Dem 911*

Sue Burfoot Lib Dem 957*

Erik Douglas Green 289

Ann Elliott Conservative 833

Sam Gregory Conservative 773

Martyn Moss Lib Dem 715

Geoff Stevens Conservative 964*

LATHKILL/BRADWELL

Andy Howard Conservative 207

Andrew McCloy Independent 406*

BAKEWELL

Patricia Birchley Lib Dem 479

Peter Duncan Conservative 1041*

Patricia Molyneux Lib Dem 448

Elinor Nancolas Lib Dem 386

Judith Twigg Conservative 1200*

Carol Walker Conservative 1057*

CHATSWORTH

Michael Longden Conservative 648*

Zoe Wareham Lib Dem 210

CALVER

Cate Hunt Conservative 632*

Marija Nicholson Lib Dem 185

WINSTER/SOUTH DARLEY

Joe Moseley Conservative 371*

Colin Swindell Lib Dem 249

Martyn Wright Lib Dem 220

WIRKSWORTH

Gladwyn Gratton Conservative 637

Rodger Green Lib Dem 387

Irene Ratcliffe Labour 937*

Mike Ratcliffe Labour 789*

Peter Slack Labour 780*

Josh Stockell Green 504

Helen Walker Conservative 508

Gavin Williamson Conservative 433

Related Link:

Matlock Mercury - election results and photos .