Oxted & Limpsfield Residents' Group triumph at Oxted South by-election

The Oxted South poll was called after Chris Langton stepped down after moving away from the area.

His seat will be filled by Mark Stringer, a senior lecturer at Birkbeck, University of London who teaches about people, work and organisational psychology.

Cllr Stringer was elected after getting a whopping 69 per cent of the votes cast in the Thursday, May 1 by-election.

The hold leaves the Oxted & Limpsfield Residents’ Group (OLRG) on eight seats.

Making up the Residence Alliance’ Group, Cllr Stringer joins the ruling party’s 20th seat on the council

Catherine Sayer, Leader of the council and member of OLRG, said: “After four years of a residents-run Tandridge District Council, we are really delighted to win with such a large majority.

“Thank you to everyone who has been so supportive and encouraging to Mark and the Residents Group during this campaign.”

The newest council member ran a campaign around planning and development issues as well as tackling anti-social behaviour.

Cllr Stringer said he will prioritise “standing up against inappropriate development to protect the character and community feel of our area, taking planning enforcement action where necessary, ensuring more affordable and council housing provision and improving infrastructure”.

Cllr Stringer won a staggering 890 votes, with the other parties trailing behind.

Out of a total of 4,413 eligible voters, only 1,289 (29.4 per cent) of people showed up to cast their ballot. Six ballots were also spoiled.

Mark will now join the other two Tandridge District Councillors for Oxted South, OLRG’s Deb Shiner and Bryan Black, in representing the ward.

The final breakdown of the vote was:

• Ian Carter – Conservative Party – 217
• Pat Hunter – Labour Party – 109
• Rupert McCann – Liberal Democrats – 67
• Mark Stringer – Oxted & Limpsfield Residents – 890 (elected)