Forty-seven.five per cent of the electorate turned out to vote in last Thursday’s Pembrokeshire County Council elections.

Former deputy leader Rob Lewis, of Martletwy, was one of the biggest fallers being ousted by Di Clements (Welsh Conservative), while David Neale in Carew, Daphne Bush (Independent) in Pembroke St. Mary South and Jonathan Nutting in Pembroke St. Michael also failed to hold onto their seats.

Nineteen-year-old Joshua Beynon becomes the youngest member elected.

The part-time university student who will serve Pembroke Dock Llanion, says he wanted to stand for election ‘to see a positive change within Pembroke Dock and Pembrokeshire.’

He will be joining new including former head of Greenhill School’s performing arts department Paul Rapi (Plaid Cymru) - Carew, Margot Bateman - Hundleton, Aaron-Leigh-Carey (Welsh Conservative) - Pembroke St. Mary South, Royal British Legion stalwart Dai Boswell (Welsh Conservative) - Pembroke St. Mary North, UNISON secretary Vic Dennis (Welsh Labour) - Narberth and Paul Dowson (Independent) - Pembroke Dock Central.

The count was held at Sir Thomas Picton School’s sports hall with council chief executive Ian Westley acting as returning officer.

Election comments

Clr. Tessa Hodgson, Lamphey ward: “I am delighted to be re-elected as the member for Lamphey and Cosheston on Pembrokeshire County Council and thank the voters of my ward for putting their faith in me. I would also like to thank those that nominated me, helped and supported with my campaign and my friends and family. I hope that we are on the eve of a new dawn of local politics, one that is more open, accountable and places the interests of the people and county of Pembrokeshire at its heart.”

Clr. Phil Baker, Saundersfoot ward: “I am extremely honoured that the residents of Saundersfoot, Sardis and Wisemans Bridge have had the faith to return me to Pembrokeshire County Council. I pledge to continue to work for the best for our villages at every opportunity. I would like to thank my family and friends for their support and Rosemary for fighting a worthy campaign.”

Clr. Jacob Williams said he was ‘humbled’ by his increased majority victory and was ‘delighted’ to continue representing the several communities within the East Williamston ward.

He told the Observer: “There were quite a few changes at this election, but I take this result as a show of confidence in my abilities and dedication, having represented this area and its residents since 2012, and I would like to thank everybody for their support. I look forward to the next term, and if any residents, regardless of who they voted for, feel I can assist them in any way, they only need to get in touch.”

Of his opponent, Clr. Williams said: “I’d like to send commiserations to Mackie, who ran a clean campaign, and I wish him well.”

Clr. Di Clements, Martletwy ward: “‘I am absolutely thrilled to have been elected and would like to thank all those who voted for me and everyone who took the time to speak to me on the doorstep. I have been overwhelmed by how kind and supportive everyone has been. I was really pleased that there was an above average turnout of 55 per cent for the Martletwy ward. I have always encouraged people to have their say even if they didn’t want to support me. However, I did recognise that was a real appetite for change in this ward during the election campaign. I know there will be challenging times ahead, but I can’t wait to get stuck into the job and I am looking forward to representing all voices in Martletwy in the future and ensuring that we all get the best possible services from our council.”

Clr. David Pugh, Kilgetty Begelly ward: “I am very pleased to have been re-elected as ward member for Kilgetty Begelly at the Pembrokeshire County Council elections. I would like to thank the electors for their continued faith and can carry on my work for the whole community. There are a number of projects that are going to require community involvement and partnership working which I believe can be achieved by collaboration between community council, volunteer groups and businesses. I look forward to representing the community at county level for the next five years.”

Clr. Jon Preston, Penally: “It is humbling that so many people have again put their trust in me to represent them on Pembrokeshire County Council. It is a responsibility I take extremely seriously. Despite a focused, resourceful and determined challenge for my seat I am delighted to have been returned for a second term with an increased majority.”

Clr. Joshua Beynon, Pembroke Dock Llanion: “I am honoured that the voters of Llanion have placed their faith in me. I’m really looking forward to working with the other councillors in making sure that the people of this county get good value for money for public services.”

Clr. Vic Dennis, Narberth: “I am delighted that the people of Narberth put their faith in me to represent them in County Hall. I was against two other very strong candidates who fought a very fair campaign and I wish them well for the future. I would like to thank all those that voted for me and reassure Narberth that I shall represent everybody whilst I am their county councillor.”

Clr. Aden A. Brinn, Pembroke St. Michael Ward: “I am delighted to have been elected to Pembrokeshire County Council as the County Councillor for the electoral division of Pembroke St. Michael Ward to carry on the work I started in 2007 and 2008 for the benefit of my electorate, as a local man with long experience in public service I will continue to serve you. My thanks to my electorate for the trust they have placed in me to serve them. I will be visible in the ward on a regular basis and will hold surgeries. I will always be available and accessible to my electorate. I am delighted the resurgence of support for the Conservative Party in Pembroke and throughout the county of Pembrokeshire has increased enabling a strong Conservative Group on Pembrokeshire County Council working for the benefit of you the people of this great county we all love , the county of Pembrokeshire.”

Clr. Paul Dowson, Pembroke Dock Central: “I didn’t expect to win being a newcomer to this politics thing. But I knew from the beginning I had to win. I had seen the candidates who were standing in a town I’d watched being slowly ruined for 50 years. I couldn’t allow one of these people to do further damage to it because in my opinion not one of them had the fight inside of them to change things. I was nominated the day before the deadline. I had four weeks to get a campaign together and win. Experienced a few dirty tricks and returned the favour to a couple of them and went PR crazy and won by four votes on May 4. Absolutely thrilled and I can’t wait to get things changed for the better in my next five years as councillor.”

Clr. Dai Boswell, Pembroke St. Mary North: “It is a great honour and I am so proud to have been elected to serve Pembroke St. Mary North ward. To everyone who voted for me in the ward, I would like to thank them for putting their faith in me. I will certainly do my best to be a good county councillor.”

Carmarthenshire County Council

Clr. Sue Allen (Independent) retained her Whitland seat on Carmarthenshire County Council topping a four-way battle. She polled 554 votes leading Natalie Ann Jones (Plaid Cymru) 133, Vivienne Beryl Morris (Welsh Labour) 111 and Bryan John Haddon (UKIP) 55.

Clr. Allen said: “Many many thanks to all the residents who supported me and for all those that were able to come out to vote for all the candidates. I will be redoubling efforts to continue the improvements and especially to keep everyone in touch with what is happening.”