The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
There will be four more independent candidates including South Holland’s first councillor from an Asian background.
Manzur Hasan, the owner of Indus restaurant in town, polled first in the Spalding St John’s Ward, edging Jack McLean into second place for the two seats.
He said: “First off I’m not really a political person. I’ve been running a business in town quite a long time in this town and people have always supported us.
“They’ve always been there and that’s why I’ve decided I wanted to give something back to the community and stand as an Independent.”
Another new Independent councillor is Rob Gibson, elected to the Spalding St Paul’s ward: “I want to challenge what’s being done (in the council). We’ve got to ask question and push to improve things.
“The more of us (independent candidates) the more we can challenge.”
Manzur Hasan after winning the St John’s Ward.
The Independents locked out three wards with newcomers Henry Bingham and Simon Walsh joining Jane King in grabbing all three seats in the Donington, Quadring and Gosberton wards.
The two Conservative candidates of Trevor Hyde and Ann Savage were more than 100 votes behind the eventual winners.
Graham Rudkin has also been elected to serve the Holbeach Town ward ahead of current incumbent Paul Foyster who stood as an Independent after previously being elected for UKIP.
Michael Booth and Chris Brewis both comfortably held on to their Sutton Bridge Ward.
In another lock out, Anthony Cronin also joined Angela Newton in representing Monks House.
By the time Newton serves this four-year term, she’ll have managed 50 years as an elected councillor.
She said she was “pleased” to be re-elected to the authority.
On the night for the Independents, she said: “I was fairly pleased with the results.
“I was thrilled Jane King, Henry Bingham and Simon Walsh won all three seats at Donington, Quadring and Gosberton and am pleased to welcome back David Wilkinson at Long Sutton.
“I was hoping to have won more seats in Spalding and am sorry that James (Le Sarge), Sheila (Bunce), Val (Gemmell) and Robert (West) failed to win.
“However, I am delighted three new comers, Manzur Hasan, Rob Gibson and Anthony Cronin won seats in three of our target Wards.
“I was sorry Paul Foyster lost his seat at Holbeach but am pleased Graham Rudkin, better known as Mr Holbeach in Bloom will be joining us.
“Along with members of our existing team of Bryan Alcock, Michael Booth, Chris Brewis, and Andy Tennant, we look forward to serving our communities to the best of our abilities for the next four years.”
