Labour’s Sally Lansbury has been elected as Cumberland councillor for Keswick following a by-election and says that she intends to “hit the ground running”.
She polled 513 votes to win by a 129 majority from the Conservative’s Graham King, while Jane Hall (Green Party) achieved 85 votes and John Rivers (Liberal Democrats) 29. The turnout was 24.46 per cent.
“Keswick voters have shown that they are looking for someone who can problem solve and work in close partnership with others, in the best interests of the area,” said Ms Lansbury, who added that the re-opening of Keswick pool was among her top priorities.
She said that she wanted to move forward with a strategy to re-open the pool by looking at new partnerships and options.
A second priority was holiday let registration and she would work alongside MP Markus Campbell-Savours, whom she has replaced on the local authority, to establish a system of registration.
“Whilst recognising the economic importance of these businesses to local families and to the economy of Keswick, we need balance,” she said. “I strongly believe that there needs to be a cap on numbers, in order to make more housing available to local families.”
She said that the issues of waste, noise and anti-social behaviour, arising from some holiday accommodation, also needs to be addressed.
And she added that in advance of flood season it was important to ensure all drains and culverts in the town were free flowing and this would be achieved by working with Cumberland Council and the town’s flood action group and Community Recovery Partnership.
Ms Lansbury emphasised the importance of the environment and said she would be actively and continuously working on nature recovery, waste reduction and climate action, in partnership with other local groups and stakeholders.
She also intends to address the town’s traffic issues including speed problems and bottlenecks, road conditions and parking.
Ms Lansbury says that she would become an advocate for carers. “As a carer for both my parents, I have direct experience of how the lines of communication between social care and NHS care are very confusing and time consuming,” she said. “Inevitably its carers who have to navigate this maze, whilst already under considerable stress. I think the situation can be improved.”
She added: “I have a solid track record of supporting local voluntary groups and have proudly served on both Keswick Town Council and Allerdale Borough Councils.
“This community experience and council ‘know how’, together with a systematic management approach, provides a strong foundation from which to address our issues. I know what needs doing, I can hit the ground running and I will work hard.”
- Ms Lansbury has resigned from Keswick Town Council and it is to advertise the vacancy for the co-option of a councillor. Clerk Vivien Little said that the council would be looking for someone to step forward to take the place and anyone interested should make contact before November 14.
