INDEPENDENT Lesley Bruton has taken the Tenbury Wells seat on Malvern Hills District Council vacated by Conservative Coun Tony Penn.
He stepped down after 14 years and the seat had been a long-time Conservative stronghold.
In the by-election, newly elected Coun Bruton took 56 per cent of the vote with the Conservatives notching up 30 per cent.
Independent and Malvern Hills District Council leader Coun Sarah Rouse said she was delighted to be working with Coun Bruton.
“She is very experienced and is already working closely with all levels of local representative on local issues.
“Whether it is with Harriett Baldwin MP on our flood scheme or local Town Council issues.
“It was wonderful to see residents choose an independent councillor and back the Independent and Green-led council’s vision and for Tenbury Wells.”
Coun Bruton said she was extremely proud and honoured to be representing the Tenbury Wells ward and was looking forward to working with all councillors for the benefit of the area and the surrounding ones.
“Thank you so much to everyone who voted for me and all the kind messages of message of support “
Lesley will now join the group of 15 Independents and five Green councillors who work together to run MHDC.
Delivering on the environment and on the economic and community recovery from Covid are among their priorities.
