Conservatives gain seat on St Albans council at by-election

Voters went to the polls on Thursday (October 17) to elect a replacement for Beth Fisher after she stepped down as ward councillor.

Sue Griffiths, the Conservative candidate, won with 661 votes against 546 for second placed James Robertson, the Liberal Democrat candidate.

Mario May (Green) and Ross Harper (Labour) came third and fourth with 82 and 51 votes respectively.

It means the Conservatives now have four seats on St Albans City & District Council, bringing their group level in size with the Green and Independent group.

The Liberal Democrats are the council’s largest party, with 46 seats, while Labour have two seats.

Last time this ward was fought, in this year’s local elections in May, Ms Fisher won easily for the Liberal Democrats with 1,161 votes. That compared to 662 for Conservative candidate Samuel Spiri, 186 for Labour’s Ross Harper and 152 for the Green party’s Mario May.

Since then, though, there has been a growing pushback against council plans to charge for on-street parking in and around Harpenden High Street.

Sue Griffiths, pictured with her husband Roy, was elected as councillor for Harpenden North & Rural ward (Image: Christopher Day, LDRs) The council says they are necessary to raise money, but Cllr Griffiths told the Local Democracy Reporting Service after her victory: “Their plans to charge for on-street parking in the High Street are unfair, unwanted and a serious risk to the town’s vitality and future success.

“Coupled with the removal of senior parking permits, it makes the town centre an expensive no-go area for many people.

“Local retailers will be badly hit, particularly the small independents. These plans must be stepped or significantly ensured.”

Cllr Griffiths thanked residents for their support, and said: “I am delighted to be given the opportunity to work on their behalf.

“Having lived, worked and brought up my family in Harpenden, it is an enormous privilege to be elected as a local councillor.

“Change is coming to Harpenden, with plans for thousands of new homes and the need to ensure the infrastructure needed to support them is put in place.

“I will listen to residents’ views and work to ensure they have a say in these plans.

“Harpenden is a great place to live. I will work hard to ensure it remains so.”

Turnout for the election was 22.18 per cent, down from 36.6 per cent in this ward in May. Postal ballot turnout this time around was 54.95 per cent.