THE local Conservative group on Herefordshire Council is jubilant after seeing off a challenge from IOC to take overall control of the authority.
The Tories took 28 seats to IOC's 12, while Independents, the Greens and Lib Dems took 12 between them, though there was drama at Saxton Gate where the Conservative's narrow victory over IOC was declared unsafe due to spoiled ballot papers.

The predicated surge by IOC failed to materialise, with the Tories taking overall control of the council by a four seat majority - which may increase depending on the outcome of Saxton Gate.

There, after a recount, the Tory candidate, Mark McEvilly was declared victorious by just 19 votes over IOC candidate David Griffiths, before the result was then deemed 'unsafe' by Herefordshire Council due to 400 spoiled papers.

There will be a by-election in due course.

Notably casualties were Charles Nicholls of IOC, who lost his Bobblestock seat, and Independent Glenda Powell who lost in Newton Farm to the other Independent Phil Edwards, while Conservative Peter Sinclair-Knipe lost his Dinedor seat to IOC.

Conservative leader Tony Johnson enjoyed a reasonably confortable win at Hope End, while  IOC leader Anthony Powers won through at Greyfriars.

  • You can pick up the full results at our election module .
  • Look our for more analysis and reaction - plus special election report in our May 14 edition of the Hereford Times.