Reform candidates win first seats on council in Newark by-election

CONSERVATIVES PLACE SECOND IN TWO VACATED WARDS

- By JOE LOCKER Local democracy reporter

REFORM UK has won two seats in a Newark and Sherwood District Council by-election - the party's first seats on the authority.

Reform’s Kay Smith will now represent the Balderton North and Coddington ward, and Michelle Home the Castle ward.

The by-election was triggered in September after Emma Oldham, who represented Balderton North and Coddington for the Green Party, and Adrian Amer, an independent representing Castle in Newark, both resigned from their positions on the council.

Castle ward’s Michelle Home beat the Conservative Party's candidate, Mathew Skinner, by just 11 votes on the night - with the turnout for both wards at just over 25%.

Both of the new Reform council-lors on the district council declined interviews when contacted by the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS).