IT WAS an emotional victory for new Basingstoke and Deane Borough councillor Kerri Carruthers who was elected as ward councillor for Tadley South.

The seat was vacant after Cllr Carruthers father, Rob Musson died after a long battle with illness on September 7, aged 63.

The results of the by-election were announced at the civic offices on November 25, where the 39-year-old – who will represent the Conservatives – beat her nearest rival Jo Slimin, Liberal Democrats, by 114 votes.

Cllr Carruthers said: “I have lived in and around Tadley my whole life and my children have grown up there.

“I want to use this opportunity to represent the people of the town and make sure they are getting a fair deal of things.

“I want to show the people exactly what their council tax is being spent on and continue to make Tadley a great place to live.”

The mother-of-four hopes that in her new role on the borough council she can be the voice of young families in Basingstoke and Deane.

She added: “I work at a preschool and have four children of my own, so I am hoping that my knowledge in this area will put me in good stead to give a younger voice in the council.”

Cllr Carruthers father had previously served on the council since 2007, during which he was a member of the economic planning and housing committee, Manydown overview committee, scrutiny and audit and accounts committees.

Now, the new ward councillor wants to carry on her dad’s legacy and make her own stamp on the council.

“Dad was a Tadley man through and through and would always show an interest in what was going on around the town and what people were doing,” she added.

“His way of doing this was to help out as many people as he could. “Like him I want to show my interest in the town and really turn things into a positive for the people of Tadley.”

There were 927 votes cast on November 24 for the by-election, with a turnout of 20.33 per cent.