- The Green Party now has six councillors on Amber Valley Borough Council.
- Greens have councillors in Smalley, Shipley and Horsley Woodhouse for the first time.
- Dave Wells, who stands down as Green Group leader, said: “Thank you to every voter and every campaigner who helped get Greens elected here. Our councillors will work tirelessly for a fairer, greener community for everyone in Amber Valley.”
There’s a Green revolution taking root in Amber Valley after the party saw a total of six councillors elected in Thursday’s local elections.
The results follow previous successes for the party, which already held three seats on Amber Valley Borough Council. It now has six seats on the council, with four new councillors joining the ranks.
Greens now have representatives on the council in three wards: Duffield and Quarndon, Belper South and, for the first time, in Smalley, Shipley and Horsley Woodhouse.
Green group leader Dave Wells, who stands down this year, said: “We’re absolutely thrilled! These fantastic results show that people here in Amber Valley have put their trust in the Green Party. They know we do politics differently and put local people and our environment first.
“Having more Green councillors on Amber Valley Borough Council gives us more influence. Congratulations to our successful candidates – I know they will give their all to address the issues that matter most to people in their communities.”
Dave Wells is delighted to be replaced in the Duffield and Quarndon Ward by newcomer Eva Long, who joins Councillor Alison McDermott on the council after both were successfully elected. Electoral changes meant Duffield Councillor Alison McDermott had to stand for reelection for this newly created ward.
In Belper South, Jamie Walls was reelected and is joined by Gez Kinsella, who is also the Derbyshire County Councillor for Duffield and Belper South.
The Green presence on Belper Town Council rises to five seats, including Jamie Walls who says ‘We are looking forward to working positively with both of the other parties to get good things done for the people of Belper. And with Greens on Duffield, Smalley and Mapperley Parish Councils, we will be working hard at the grass roots level with our local communities.’
But the biggest breakthrough for Amber Valley Greens was the election of Amanda Paget and Lian Pizzey in Smalley, Shipley and Horsley Woodhouse.
Dave Wells said: “It’s always wonderful to win in a new area and we are delighted that the people of Smalley, Shipley, Horsley Woodhouse, Heanor Gate and Mapperley have recognised what great councillors Amanda and Lian will make. Both already serve on Smalley Parish Council and now bring their considerable experience to a much wider community.”
“Thank you to every voter and campaigner who helped get Greens elected here. We have pledged to work hard all year round, to work positively with all parties to get things done and to vote in the best interests of our communities. I know all of the councillors you have elected this will start to deliver on those promises right away – and will work tirelessly for a fairer, greener community in Amber Valley.”
Results
Amber Valley Green Party won a total of six seats on Amber Valley council, with four new councillors elected after Dave Wells stepped down. The new councillors elected are Councillor Eva Long (Duffield and Quarndon), Councillor Gez Kinsella (Belper South), Councillor Amanda Paget (Smalley, Shipley and Horsley Woodhouse) and Councillor Lian Pizzey (Smalley, Shipley and Horsley Woodhouse). The Green councillors who held their seats are Councillor Alison McDermott (Duffield and Quarndon) and Councillor Jamie Walls (Belper South).
