A NEW representative for the Mearns ward will sit on the Kincardine and Mearns Area Committee after a by-election yesterday.
Some three by-elections were triggered by the standing down of councillors Seamus Logan (Fraserburgh and District), David Mair (Central Buchan) and Kevin Stelfox (Mearns). Voting took place at 34 polling stations with the election count being conducted electronically in Inverurie Town Hall today (Friday).
In Ward 19 – Mearns – Tracey Smith of the Scottish Conservatives was elected after receiving 1,347 first preference votes. Electorate – 12,414; Turnout – 27.8%.
Results:
Isobel Knights (Liberal Democrat) – 745
Claudia Leith (Reform UK) – 375
William Linegar (Scottish Greens) – 136
Hannah Scott (Scottish National Party) – 832
Tracey Smith (Scottish Conservatives) – 1,347
Ms Smith, who is a co-founder of the Save Our Mearns campaign will now join colleagues, including Stonehaven’s four ward councillors, on the Kincardine and Mearns Area Committee.
In Ward 3 – Fraserburgh and District – Iain Sutherland of the Scottish Conservatives was elected having received 1,145 first preference votes. Electorate – 11,584; Turnout – 27.4%.
In Ward 4 – Central Buchan – Peter Chapman of the Scottish Conservatives was elected after receiving 1,260 first preference votes. Electorate – 11,408; Turnout – 27%.
Returning Officer Jim Savege said: “I would firstly like to offer my own personal congratulations to our three new councillors and I very much look forward to working with you all. I would like to thank not only all those who stood for election in our three by-elections, but all those constituents who took the time to head out and vote in what is a very important democratic process for Aberdeenshire. I also wish to thank our Election Team and supporting staff for their excellent delivery of both the voting process yesterday and today’s count.”
