GOLDSWORTH Park has welcomed former Liberal Democrat Councillor Anne-Marie Barker back to the political spectrum.

 

 

Sitting Conservative Councillor Chitra Rana (854) was also awarded a two-year spell back in office after winning last year’s vote.

 

Cllr Barker, who overcame illness to revel in her comeback triumph, said: “It’s great to be elected as a representative for Goldsworth and I look forward to engaging with the community to get them involved in the process.

 

“It’ll be good to work with Ian and draw on his vast experience - we are of course hopeful that at the end of the day we will have some more Lib Dem seats joining us.”

 

Speaking to the News & Mail shortly after the results were declared by Deputy Returning Officer Douglas Spinks, Cllr Eastwood said: “This has been a very awkward election: it was close and since a knee operation I have been unable to visit as many people as I would have liked.

 

“But this is my eighth election and, after 25 years with the council, I must be doing something right!

 

“My thanks go to the people who voted for me again; residents must know my name quite well by now.”

 

Tory counterpart Cllr Rana shared Cllr Eastwood’s delight, and said that he was looking forward to working closely with his fellow ward representative despite their political differences.

 

He said: “We may have different parties but I am looking forward to working with him - Ian is a friend and I am so delighted we have both been elected so that we can work to achieve our shared goals.

 

“We must deal with the issues surrounding the pitches in Goldsworth. When I moved to Woking the first thing that struck me was the beauty of Goldsworth Lake and the space around it. 

 

“I can assure residents that nothing will be decided until the public consultation has been completed. Their issues are my issues because I am not just a councillor, I am a neighbour.”

GOLDSWORTH PARK RESULTS: ASHALL Laura (Conservative): 847 BARKER Ann-Marie (Liberal Democrat): 894 CARNALL Eve (Green Party): 219 De LEON Troy (UKIP): 356 EASTWOOD Ian (Liberal Democrat): 885 OWEN William (Labour): 327 RANA Chitra (Conservative): 854 SANDERSON James (Liberal Democrat): 806 SCOTT-MORGAN John (Labour): 366 SHAH Rizwan (Conservative): 707 SHAHEEN Robinha (Labour): 327