Election results no
surprise (From The Westmorland Gazette)
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Election results no surprise
IT IS business as usual for South Lakeland District Council after yesterday's local elections failed to rock the council's political balance.
The Liberal Democrats now hold 21 seats, the same total they had at the beginning of the council's last term before the resignation of their Arnside and Beetham councillor.
Labour held steady with nine seats, the Conservatives picked up one more to give them 19 and the Independents dropped one to three.
But the overall results hide a number of personal dramas.
There were gasps at the Kendal Leisure Centre count when Labour Councillor for Highgate, Marilyn Molloy, lost her seat to Lib Dem Paul Little by just 13 votes.
Similar ripples went through the Liberal Democrat camp when incumbant Carole Cliffe lost out to Conservative challenger Simon Butterfield who is the now party's only Kendal councillor.
But the closest call of the night went to the Kendal Nether ward when a recount was called to find a clear winner.
Labour man Paul Braithwaite was declared the winner by some seven votes, seizing the seat from Liberal Democrat Chris Mayho.
For full results see our Elections page - link on home page..
