DESPITE having to step down from her role as a councillor due to health reasons, Cllr Anne Court will once again represent the people of Kempshott.

At a ward by-election held on Thursday, 21 June, the Conservative candidate won the vote with more than 400 more votes than her nearest rival.

The by-election was called after Cllr Court had to step away from her role at Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council due to national legislation.

Having undergone a knee operation, Cllr Court was expected to have a six-week recovery period and would be back carrying out her duties as a councillor.

However, blood clots formed in her left knee, which stopped the blood flow going to her foot, meaning that she was unable to attend meetings.

Now on the mend, Cllr Court will continue to represent the residents of Kempshott as she has done for the last 23 years.

She said: “It has been a really difficult time, but I am just thankful to have such an incredible team of people around me who have been able to help campaign for me.

“I need to thank my husband Richard, who has been pushing me around everywhere, and now I am just looking forward to getting back to it in terms of being a councillor.”

With the recovery still on-going for Cllr Court, she also had high praise for the nurses at the Beggarwood and Rooksdown GP surgeries.

She added: “I have to go in and get my dressing changed three times a month and the staff have been fantastic.

“They have really kept my spirits up.”

Talking about the election, Cllr Court said it gave her a buzz to be involved again, adding: “It broke the cycle of boring daytime TV, but I guess I’ll have to go back to watching the World Cup a little longer until the next council meeting.”

The result:

Anne Court, Conservative – 884

Alex Lee, Labour – 475

Stravroulia O’Doherty – 105

Turnout – 25.78 per cent