Greens confirmed as biggest group on Lancaster City Council after By-election win in Scotforth East
Andrew Otway won a Lancaster City Council by-election in Scotforth East on 3 October, that had been triggered by the resignation of a Labour councillor.
The turnout was 30.8 % and the results were:
Andrew Robert Otway (Green Party) – 623 (57.7%) ELECTED
Mark Andrew Jarnell (Labour Party) – 241 (22.3%)
Timothy Wood (Conservative Party) – 148 (13.7%)
Malcolm Martin (Liberal Democrats) 66(6.1%)
Andrew’s win confirms the Green Party as the biggest group on Lancaster City Council, with 23 out of 61 seats. Labour have 21, Liberal Democrats 7, Conservatives 5, Morecambe Bay Independents 3 and non-aligned Independents 2.
It also makes us the joint second biggest group of elected Greens in the UK, along with Mid-Suffolk who also have 23 Green Councillors. Only Bristol has an even bigger elected Green Group, with 34.
Andrew is a Scotforth resident who worked at Lancaster Central Library for 30 years before his recent retirement. He said:
“Thank you to all the voters of Scotforth East and to everyone who took the time to chat to about local issues. I have lots of ideas and casework to follow up, and am looking forward to making a difference as one of the councillors for this lovely, friendly part of Lancaster.”
Cllr Caroline Jackson, Leader of the Green Group and Deputy Leader of the Council said:
“Congratulations to Andrew – I’m delighted to welcome him to our hard-working team of Green Councillors. I’m now looking forward to discussions with our current partners in the successful joint administration (Green, Labour and Lib Dem) about the consequences for the next two and half years.”
