Ray Barron was elected on July 10th in the Common Ward by-election. He is the first Conservative to represent this ward which has been held by Labour for decades.

Ray, who runs a motor repair business in Marston Road in the heart of the ward, said that he was honoured to have been elected. "I will now get to work and try to deal with the many practical problems which local people have brought to my attention."

The full result was as follows

Ray Barron (Conservative) 397
Alexandra Gribbin (Labour) 294
Martin Shepherd (Lib Dem) 140
Paul Gilbert (EPP) 78
Damon Hoppe (Green) 76