Glynis Scalese has won back the Spalding St Paul’s seat on South Holland District Council for the Conservatives in the tightest race possible.
Both she and Vanessa Browning, standing for the South Holland Independents, gained 155 votes in the by-election held on Thursday, November 9.
After several re-counts, Returning Officer Christine Marshall put one vote from each candidate in a ballot box and drew out Mrs Scalese’s name.
“I was delighted that I won in a very close contest,” she said, after being elected back in the ward she represented until May’s district council election. Bailey Boulding, the South Holland Independent who beat her then, subsequently resigned, citing his family situation.
Mrs Scalese said: “I can’t wait to get started and address the issues that were reported to me on my campaign.
“In particular I want to look at the speeding on Halmergate I will campaign to get it a 30mph area.
“A huge thanks to all my Conservative colleagues for their support during the campaign in particular Couns Paul Redgate and Henry Bingham.
“Also, thanks to Coun Nick Worth, leader of South Holland District Council, for his continued support and belief in me.”
Conservative MP Sir John Hayes attended the count and said how, in 50 years in politics he’d never seen two candidates get exactly the same number of winning votes.
“It was a thrilling finish and I’m obviously delighted. It’s great that the Conservatives are making further progress in Spalding.
“I’m really proud of Glynis. She’s a really good and dedicated person and everyone I met throughout the election process knew of her and the good work she does.”
The Conservatives now have a two-seat advantage over other parties on South Holland District Council, after it had previously been reduced to just one in May.
Despite missing out, but not having any candidate get more votes than her, Miss Browning remained upbeat.
“I’m not sad as I won really and then it was just the luck of the draw,” she said.
“I’m glad for the opportunity to stand, and the South Holland Independents who helped me were amazing.
“It was hard work but I’ll definitely look to run again.
“I’m still going to be doing what I do and being involved in the community and I look forward to working with Glynis. There’s no negative feeling between us and we joked about sharing the role half and half.”
In third place was Steve Timewell with 132 votes, ahead of Labour Party candidate Aidan Forman (108 votes) and Julian Wheeler (73 votes) With a turn out of 17.53 per cent, slightly down on the 19 per cent at the district council elections in May.
Mr Timewell had resigned as a Conservative after Mrs Scalese was chosen before him as their candidate, and he stood as an Independent.
He was on the ballot paper as a ‘True Independent’ something The Electoral Commission has ruled he shouldn’t have been allowed to do.
A spokesman said: “The description should not have been permitted, as it is not registered with us as a party name, description or joint description.
“South Holland District Council contacted us to let us know they had accepted the nominations paper and published the Statement of Persons Nominated before they realised that an error had been made in accepting that description. We advised that, legally, the election had to proceed.
“We will be in contact with South Holland District Council on what steps they are taking to avoid errors occurring in the future, and to provide support and guidance.”
Mr Forman said of his performance: “It was disappointing to not be elected, however as a Labour group we take huge positives from the campaign.
“Our job now is to build on our foundations from the May elections and this by-election to prepare for the future, to be ready to offer the change that the people of South Holland and The Deepings need and deserve.
“Congratulations to Glynis on a successful campaign, I hope she stands by her promises for the residents of Spalding St Paul’s”.
Mr Wheeler said: “Congratulations to Glynis.
“I am quietly satisfied with my own performance, I was the new kid on the block and had no previous experience to draw upon unlike the other candidates who had stood for election previously or in some cases had even been elected.
“It has been a great learning experience for me and I do not regret entering the race and, having had the time to reflect, we now know what we would change for the Lincolnshire County Council elections in 2025 where, circumstances permitting, I intend to stand. The feeling in the area is that the days of a free ride for the councillors of this ward are now over and residents want to see them working on their behalf to achieve tangible results.”
