New councillors on Lichfield District Council’s ruling Conservative group have been tipped to shine.
The elections saw the party increase their majority by two seats as they claimed 46 in total, with Labour taking the remaining ten.
A number of new faces will take their seats in the chamber, including Sue Arnold (Mease and Tame), Brett Wilson (Hammerwich) and David Leytham (Curborough).
Cllr Michael Wilcox, the leader of the council, believes they are a crucial addition to the make-up of his new ruling party.
He told The Lichfield Blog:
“I’m very conscious that while we have a lot of senior people in the council, we need to bring on younger people. It’s important that those people feel valued and are given responsibility.”
Click to hear more from Cllr Wilcox on his new Conservative colleagues:
Brett Wilson fought off close competition from a range of candidates to secure his seat in Hammerwich.
The solicitor finished 101 votes ahead of third placed independent rival Vance Wasdell to join Conservative colleague Val Richards on the council.
Cllr Wilson said:
“It was a close call when the votes were being laid out on the table. It was a great relief to be elected.”
The feeling of relief wasn’t restricted to Cllr Wilson, however. Another new member of the council, David Leytham had it painted across his face as he was greeted by his fellow Conservatives following his election in the Curborough ward.
He joined Brian Bacon and Norma Bacon in winning through from the ward, finishing on 590 votes – just 13 ahead of Labour rival John Brooks.
And he admitted that he’d been through a rollercoaster of emotions during the count.
Speaking after his election, Cllr Leytham said:
“I knew it would be close. My philosophy before was that I’d never done this before, if I don’t win it, I haven’t lost anything. But it changes rather when you’re in there and you think ‘I might win this’.”
Click below to hear more from newly-elected Cllr Leytham: