A local independent candidate has claimed the Beveley ward seat on Ketley Parish Council following a contested by-election held after the death of long-serving parish councillor Maggie Evans in May.
Independent victory in close-knit ward
Anna Rothwell, 37, won the contest with 71 votes, giving her a majority that, by the declared figures, amounted to 54 per cent of the poll. She finished comfortably ahead of Labour’s candidate Mark Boylan, who took 41 votes.
Rothwell, a mother of two who works from home in the ward’s Princess Square, said she was grateful to voters and pledged to focus on the local issues raised during the campaign. Speaking as the result was announced, she told supporters she intended to "do the best I can" in the role.
"I am really grateful for everyone who voted for me. I look forward to doing the best I can."
The declaration was made less than half an hour after polls closed at 10pm. Rothwell had previously sought to join the council by co-option a few years ago but this was the first time she faced the electorate in a contested poll. She was supported at the count at Ketley Community Centre by sitting independent parish councillors Helen Barker and Nick Heath, whom she will join at the next council meeting.
Local context and reactions
The by-election follows the death of Maggie Evans in May, a much-loved member of the parish council whose passing prompted the vacancy. The result will alter the immediate balance of voices on Ketley Parish Council and brings a fresh face to represent the concerns of residents in Beveley.
Labour’s Mark Boylan, who serves as a borough councillor and also holds seats on Oakengates Town Council and Lawley and Overdale Parish Council, acknowledged defeat on results night but pledged to continue his local work. He said he had actively campaigned in the ward and delivered leaflets to every home.
"I was not just a paper candidate. I knocked on doors and we delivered leaflets to every home in the ward... It is what it is."
Boylan confirmed he would continue tackling cross-border issues of concern to residents, including antisocial behaviour, despite the by-election loss. He was supported at the count by members of the borough council’s Labour cabinet, the Mayor of Oakengates and a leading figure from Ketley Parish Council.
- Winner: Anna Rothwell (Independent) — 71 votes — 54% of the poll
- Runner-up: Mark Boylan (Labour) — 41 votes
- Others: Candidates from the Green Party and the Liberal Democrats stood, but their vote totals were not disclosed in the declaration reported.
What this means for residents
For residents of Beveley and the wider Ketley area, the change means an independent voice will now attend parish meetings and help shape responses to local matters such as community safety, neighbourhood services and parish initiatives. The council’s next meeting, which Rothwell is set to attend, will be an early test of how she intends to prioritise the issues she encountered on the doorstep.
The campaign underlined the continued competitiveness of local politics in Telford where parish and town councils often represent the first point of contact between residents and elected representatives. With established Labour figures remaining active in the area, and national parties fielding candidates, local contests can turn on constituency-specific concerns and door-to-door engagement.
| Candidate | Party | Votes |
|---|---|---|
| Anna Rothwell | Independent | 71 |
| Mark Boylan | Labour | 41 |
The appearance of Green and Liberal Democrat candidates demonstrates a broader interest in local representation, but it was the independent candidate who secured the seat. Residents will watch closely to see how the new councillor addresses the issues raised during the campaign and how she collaborates with both independent and party-affiliated colleagues on the parish council.
