A DISTRICT council has welcomed a new elected member to represent the Hornby Castle ward.

Robin Scott has been chosen as the new Richmondshire District Councillor earlier this month, following the resignation of Lin Clarkson.

Coun Scott, who is a member of the Conservatives led by Coun Fleur Butler, won by 127 votes, with former chairman of Richmondshire District Councillor Helen Grant coming in second with 98 votes. The election saw a turnout of 19.23 per cent.

The district council is now made up of 17 Independent councillors, 13 Conservatives, two Liberal Democrats and one UKIP member. There is one vacant seat for Reeth and Arkengarthdale.

Coun Scott comes from a family of local solicitors who have been in North Yorkshire for generations and still practice locally.

His grandfather, Malcolm Scott was clerk of Reeth and Leyburn Rural District Councils for more than 40 years.

As well as taking an interest in local issues, Coun Scott works on web development for local and national businesses from his office in Swinithwaite, North Yorkshire.

He said: “I have always been interested in politics, but did not plan to enter local or national politics until earlier this year when I was asked to consider standing for election to North Yorkshire County Council.

“I was unsuccessful but I enjoyed the opportunity to go out in the area and meeting members of my community.

“I also wanted the opportunity to add to the debate on local issues like rural broadband and the proposed reduction of maternity and paediatric services at the Friarage Hospital, Northallerton.

“In the autumn of this year I was asked again if I could help fill a place which had become available, this time on the Richmondshire District Council, and it was an opportunity to serve my community I readily accepted.

“I have discovered that I am well cut out for this role - I am able to listen to people who are often very passionate about a problem on their doorstep, and take the important points from this message to a place where something can be done about it.

“As a result I feel I am capable of helping the area to achieve the best it can.”