The Greens are delighted to have become the biggest party on Stroud District Council, with a record number of councillors.
The party now has 22 seats on Stroud District Council (up from 14), winning nine new seats and holding 13 existing seats.
Cllr Catherine Braun, who held her seat for the in Wotton-under-Edge Ward and remains Leader of Stroud District Council until the Council’s Annual General Meeting on May 23, said: “Greens are on the up with a wave of support nationwide, and we’re delighted with the success of Thursday’s vote, which makes us one of the largest Green groups in the country.
“These fantastic results show that people here in Stroud District are putting their trust in the Green Party – they know we do politics differently and that we have a vision of positive change for communities, our shared environment, and the local economy.
“Congratulations to our successful candidates – I know they will give their all to address the issues that matter most to residents.
“Our success is testament to the hard work of our candidates and support teams, who knocked on hundreds of doors and delivered thousands of leaflets during the election campaign.
“It also reflects the gains for the Green Party across the country, with historic results like Greens becoming the biggest party in Hastings and Bristol as well as Stroud district.
“The unpopularity of the Conservative Government and the desire of many people for an alternative to the main parties has translated into votes at the ballot box for the Greens.
“We’ll be looking to work collaboratively with other parties to achieve a fairer, greener district. We will now be discussing with other parties how this might look, and more details will be available before the Council meeting on May 23, when the new council leadership team will be elected.
“We will work to accomplish our manifesto aims of warm and affordable homes; a clean, green district; thriving market towns and villages; public services that work; and restoring trust in politics.”
Cllr Beki Aldam, Deputy Leader of the Green group, who held her seat in Thrupp by a large margin, said: “Thank you to every voter and campaigner who helped get Greens elected here. We offer a hopeful and positive vision for supporting people through the cost-of-living crisis, improving community wellbeing, promoting our local economy, and action on climate and nature. We will now start to develop and implement that vision through practical policies that will make a real difference for the residents and businesses of Stroud District.”
Kate Kay, elected in Nailsworth to fill the vacancy created by the death of her husband, Norman Kay, said: “I’m so thrilled to have been selected by the voters of Nailsworth to join the Green team. I look forward to working tirelessly for fairer, greener communities across Stroud District.”
Overall SDC results
Greens 22 (up from 14)
Labour 20 (up from 4)
Conservatives 7 (down from 19)
Liberal Democrats 2 (down from 3)
(Of the 22 Greens, 11 are women and 11 men.)
Green holds and gains
Amberley & Woodchester: Sarah Canning GAIN
Bisley: Martin Brown HOLD
Chalford: James Boyle, Helen Fenton, Tricia Watson HOLD
Coaley & Uley: Martin Pearcy HOLD
Minchinhampton: Gill Thomas GAIN, Chloe Turner HOLD
Nailsworth: Kate Kay GAIN
Painswick & Upton: Pete Kennedy GAIN, Gary Luff HOLD, Matt Sergeant GAIN
Randwick, Whiteshill & Ruscombe: Jonathan Edmunds HOLD
Stonehouse: Carol Kambites GAIN
Stroud Slade: Natalie Rothwell-Warn GAIN
Stroud Trinity: Lucas Schoemaker HOLD
Stroud Valley: Martin Baxendale HOLD
The Stanleys: Marisa Godfrey GAIN, Steve Hynd HOLD
Thrupp: Beki Aldam HOLD
Wotton: Catherine Braun HOLD, Gareth Kitchen GAIN