MALDON’S newest councillor has said she is honoured to have had the "public put their trust in me".
The by-election for the Maldon West ward took place on May 30 following the death of councillor and former Maldon Town Mayor Flo Shaughnessy in February.
Liberal Democrat Sarah Dodsley received 573 votes beating Reform UK candidate Gary Robert who had 488 votes.
Conservative candidate Jhual Hafiz received 204 votes in third place.
Ms Dodsley told the Standard: “I am so grateful for the community for electing me and putting their trust in me, and I am representing everyone in the area.
“I am delighted Maldon West essentially rejected the divisive messaging and meaningless slogans of Reform.
“We campaigned very hard to speak to residents, weeks and days before the election to secure their vote.”
Ms Dodsley, 46, said she has lived in West Maldon for nine years and is aware of the “burden on local services”.
In the canvassing stage, discussions with doctors and dentists took place with Ms Dodsley also saying people were keen to know what was going to happen to Maldon Hospital.
Ms Dodsley's day job is as a therapeutic life coach. It sees her help people make long term changes in their life.
She says her priority as a councillor is to communicate effectively with the public.
Ms Dodsley said: “The main skill in my job is listening and really listening to people, communication is so important and at the heart of what I’m doing.
“My role is very action orientated - I am keen to bring that too”.
The Liberal Democrats are now the second-largest party on the council, with seven councillors, and Ms Dodsley said the support from her colleagues has been “brilliant”.
As a first-time councillor, Ms Dodsley added: “I am looking forward to working with everyone, and there’s going to be a variety of voices”.
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