Education and parking top priorities for Kettering's newest councillor

Cllr Ian Jelley (Con, St Peters), won a poll last month with a landslide victory.

Cllr Jelley was previously a councillor and portfolio holder for finance before losing his seat in 2015 - and he is delighted to be back on the council.

He said: “St Peters has always been a good Tory ward with the excellent work of Mary Malin and Terry Freer but I’ve never been complacent.

“I’ve been a Rothwell Town councillor for seven years but lost my borough council seat by six votes at the last election.

“I’m really delighted to be back on the board, we spent five weeks door-knocking with a proper campaign.

“As the chairman of governers for Rothwell Victoria Infant School education is a big thing for me.

“It’s vitally important that children in the area get the best start in life they possibly can.”

Cllr Jelley received 468 votes, with closest rival Eugene Dalton-Ruark (Lab) amassing just 180.

The current composition of Kettering Council is now 26 Conservatives, eight Labour and two independent.

Cllr Jelley added: “There have been a few issues with parking, especially with people who commute to London.

“People cause obstructions without realising it but I will be talking to residents and businesses to try and find a solution.

“I’m an open person and like to communicate - councillors are there to support residents and that’s what I intend to do.”