VOTERS have elected a new councillor after the area’s newly-elected MP stood down from her councillor role.

Voters in Frampton Cotterell headed to the polls yesterday, Thursday, (November 28) after Claire Young MP resigned as a ward councillor on South Gloucestershire Council.

Lib Dems managed to hold onto the seat by just 201 votes - electing new councillor David Goodwin. 

The turnout was 25.46 per cent - 2,677 people voted out of an electorate of 10,516. 

The results were: 

  • David Goodwin (Liberal Democrat) received 1,315 votes 
  • Tim Niblett (Conservative) received 1,114 votes
  • Alan Lankester (Green Party) received 160 votes
  • Jonathan Trollope (Labour) received 80 votes

There were also eight rejected ballots.

New councillor Mr Goodwin previously stood as a candidate for Winterbourne in the local elections held in May last year and came fourth. 

Ms Young overturned a 12,369-vote Conservative majority to oust Luke Hall by more than 3,000 votes in the Thornbury & Yate constituency at July’s general election.

She quit as council leader shortly after being elected to Westminster, but remained a councillor on SGC.

Announcing her decision in October, Ms Young said she was planning to focus on her work as an MP. 

Frampton Cotterell is a large, three-seat ward. Its other two members are Liberal Democrat Cllrs Tristan Clark and Jon Lean.

Meanwhile, Conservatives have hailed last night’s result as ‘remarkable’ as the party increased their vote by 8.1 per cent compared to their result in 2023.

Conservative group leader Sam Bromiley said: “Every other party went backwards as local residents got behind Conservative candidate Tim Niblett’s positive message to stop car parking charges. 

“And to stop the reduction in black bin collections. 

“We will stay on the side of residents and I just hope SGC will pay attention to this result and start listening to local people.”

Claire Young MP at the Thornbury & Yate 2024 General Election count