TORIES MAKE HISTORY IN TOWN COUNCIL ELECTIONS

THE Conservatives have secured control of Kidsgrove Town Council for the first time in the party’s history. Labour has had control of the council for almost 50 years, but the most recent round of local elections saw them reduced to just six members on the 20-member authority.

Kidsgrove Town Council was created in 1974 after Kidsgrove Urban District Council became part of Newcastle borough. It serves the community of Kidsgrove, Talke, Butt Lane, Newchapel and Mow Cop.

It’s now expected that Paul Waring, pictured, will become both chairman of the council and mayor of the town.

The Conservative councillor said: “This marks a new era for Kidsgrove, where the people have chosen to elect hard-working businessmen and women, with a can-do attitude, to run their local council. “We will be focusing on delivering ambitious projects for the people of Kidsgrove on time and on budget and would like to thank everyone who gave us their support.”

It comes as the Conservatives have also retained control of Newcastle Borough Council following last week’s elections. Stoke-on-trent North MP Jonathan Gullis, who represents the Kidsgrove area, has been at loggerheads with the previous Labour-led town council over a number of issues over the past few years.

The Conservative MP said: “I’m so proud of Cllr Paul Waring and the local team for their hard work in pulling off another big result and upset.

“Thank you to everyone who lent us your vote. We know you have given us a chance and it’s not one we will ever take for granted.

“For too long, Kidsgrove Town Council hasn’t been working in the interests of the people it serves. The new administration will turbo charge getting the new CCTV installed that has been promised since December 2020.

“I also look forward to working with the new administration on investing in our local parks so we can tidy up and restore pride in the place we call home, and provide support to Kidsgrove Sports Centre, helping to make sure it’s a success and enjoyed by all.”

He highlighted his party’s turnaround in fortunes since 2018, where they couldn’t field a full slate of candidates and only had seven elected councillors.

This time around, the Conservatives had 20 candidates, while Labour only managed to put 18 nominations forward, ultimately securing only six seats.