Give and take at Wolverhampton
LABOUR stayed firmly in control in Wolverhampton after losing just one seat to the Conservatives – then snatching back control of the Merry Hill ward from the Tories by just six votes.
Overall there was no change in the council numbers. Labour still maintains a majority with 44 seats as opposed to the Conservatives with 16.
In Merry Hill, Carol Hyatt was elected for Labour after polling 1,456 votes to beat Conservative James Montero, who polled 1,450.
Cllr Hyatt said: “It was so close but I’m absolutely delighted. I feel quite overwhelmed.”
Cllr Simon Bennett swept to victory for the Conservatives in Bushbury North, defeating Labour’s Alan Butt. Former Merry Hill ward councillor Mr Bennett polled 1,253 votes, beating Mr Butt who polled 1,096.
Cllr Bennett, who is the deputy leader of Wolverhampton Conservatives, said: “I’m absolutely ecstatic with the result and am looking forward to representing the ward where I grew up.
“It’s a great result for the party and I can’t wait to get to work on some of the big issues people in the area are really passionate about, including protecting the green belt.”
Cllr Butt said: “Obviously I’m disappointed but people don’t always vote for the representative based on the work they’ve done in the area. Sometimes people are voting for the party as a whole rather than the individual. I’ve enjoyed my four years representing the ward I’ve lived in for more than 50 years and am going to take a holiday now.”
Just 27 per cent of people across the city voted – a total of 50,395 people.